Biology A Unit 1 Vocabulary: Atoms, Bonds, Macromolecules, and Cell Functions

Atom

The basic unit of matter

Element

Pure substance that consists of only one type of atom

Isotope

One of several forms of a single element, which contains the same number of protons but different number of neutrons.

Ionic Bond

Chemical bond formed when one or more electrons are transferred (stolen) from one atom to another.

Covalent Bond

A type of bond between atoms in which the electrons are shared.

Molecule

A group of atoms

Hydrogen Bond

Weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and another atom

Cohesion

Attraction between molecules of the same substance

Adhesion

Force of attraction between different kinds of molecules

Solution

Type of mixture in which all the components are evenly distributed.

Suspension

Mixture of water and non-dissolved material

Monomer

Small chemical unit that makes up a polymer

Polymer

Chemical composed of many monomers; makes up macromolecules

Carbohydrate

Monomer: Sugar molecules; Composition: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen; Function: To store and release energy, breakdown sugars, major source of energy for the body (fast)

Lipid

Monomer: Fatty acid + glycerol; Composition: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen; Function: Store energy, waterproof covering

Nucleic Acid

Monomer: Nucleotides - Nitrogenous base, phosphate group, 5-carbon base (sugar); Composition: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus; Function: To store and transmit hereditary or genetic information. (DNA & RNA)

Protein

Monomer: Amino group + carboxyl group; Composition: Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen; Function: ENZYMES, STRUCTURE, TRANSPORT, ANTIBODIES

Reactant

The elements or compounds that engage in a chemical reaction

Product

The elements or compounds produced by a chemical reaction.

Enzyme

Protein catalysts that speeds up the rate of specific biological reactions.