Biological Molecules

Polymer

A large molecule composed of repeating subunits.

Monomer

A small, basic unit that makes up a polymer.

Polysaccharides

Polymers made from many glucose molecules.

Lipids

Fats or oils made from fatty acids and glycerol.

Proteins

Polymers made from amino acids.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, made from nucleotides.

Glycosidic bonds

Bonds that link monosaccharides in polysaccharides.

Ester bonds

Bonds that link fatty acids and glycerol in lipids.

Peptide bonds

Bonds that link amino acids in proteins.

Hydrogen bonds

Bonds that link nucleotides in DNA.

Monosaccharides

Simple sugars consisting of one molecule.

Disaccharides

Carbohydrates made of two monosaccharides joined together.

Saccharides

Sugar molecule units that make up carbohydrates.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins, with about 20 different types.

Double helix

The shape of DNA consisting of two spiraled strands.

Nucleotides

Subunits that make up DNA, consisting of sugar, a base, and a phosphate group.

Purines

Nitrogenous bases that are larger, specifically adenine and guanine.

Pyrimidines

Nitrogenous bases that are smaller, specifically cytosine and thymine.

Biuret test

A chemical test to detect proteins by changing color when peptide bonds are present.

Benedict's test

A chemical test to detect reducing sugars by color change.

Iodine test

A chemical test to detect starch by changing color to blue or black.

Ethanol test

A test for fats; forms a milky suspension if fats are present.

DCPIP test

A test to detect vitamin C, changing from blue to clear.

Hydrophobic

Water-repelling properties of lipids.

Glycogen

A storage form of carbohydrates in animals.

Starch

A storage form of carbohydrates in plants.

Cellulose

Used in the formation of cell walls in plants.