The Chemistry of Life - Carbon Flashcards

Flashcards generated to help review key terms and concepts related to the chemistry of life as discussed in the lecture.

Biochemical Unity

The concept that all living things share similar biochemical processes despite their physical differences.

CHNOPS

The six key elements essential for life: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, and Sulfur.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms.

Organic Molecule

A molecule that contains carbon, often associated with living organisms.

Isomers

Compounds with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements of atoms.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that breaks down a compound by adding water.

Dehydration Reaction

A chemical reaction that involves the loss of water to join molecules together.

Fatty Acids

Building blocks of lipids, consisting of long chains of carbon atoms.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, serving as building blocks for more complex carbohydrates.

Nucleotide

The basic structural unit of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, phosphate, and nitrogenous base.

Macromolecule

A large molecule made up of smaller repeating units, such as proteins and nucleic acids.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins, distinguished by their unique side chains.

Polysaccharide

A complex carbohydrate made of long chains of monosaccharides.

Triglyceride

A type of lipid formed from three fatty acids and glycerol.