The Chemical Basis of Life II: Organic Molecules

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to organic molecules, proteins, and nucleic acids relevant to the chemical basis of life.

Phospholipid

A molecule composed of glycerol, two fatty acids, and a phosphate group, critical for cell membrane formation.

Amphipathic

Describes a molecule that has both polar (hydrophilic) and nonpolar (hydrophobic) parts.

Steroids

Organic compounds characterized by a four-ring structure; examples include cholesterol, estrogen, and testosterone.

Amino acids

The building blocks of proteins; there are 20 different amino acids that vary by their side chains.

Polypeptide

A polymer of amino acids connected by peptide bonds; it folds into a functional protein.

Hydrogen bonds

Weak attractions that form between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative atom, important in protein structure.

Ionic bonds

Electrostatic attractions between charged side chains of amino acids.

Denaturation

The process by which proteins lose their native structure due to factors such as heat or pH changes.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a phosphate group, a five-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Purines

Class of nitrogenous bases that includes adenine (A) and guanine (G), characterized by a two-ring structure.

Pyrimidines

Class of nitrogenous bases that includes cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U), characterized by a single-ring structure.