Biology - Atoms and Molecules

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary and concepts in biology related to atoms, molecules, macromolecules, and their functions in living organisms.

Macromolecules

Large molecules formed by the polymerization of smaller subunits called monomers.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, typically in a 1:2:1 ratio.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates; single sugar molecules like glucose.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed by the joining of two monosaccharides.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate composed of many monosaccharides linked together; examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.

Protein

Large biomolecules made up of one or more long chains of amino acid residues.

Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins, containing an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a side chain (R group).

Dehydration Synthesis

A chemical reaction that builds up molecules by losing water molecules.

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that splits a molecule by adding water.

Nucleic Acid

Polymers made up of nucleotide monomers; includes DNA and RNA.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of nucleic acids, consisting of a sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base.

Purine

A type of nitrogenous base with a double-ring structure; includes adenine and guanine.

Pyrimidine

A type of nitrogenous base with a single-ring structure; includes thymine, cytosine, and uracil.

Lipids

Hydrophobic organic molecules, including fats, oils, steroids, and waxes.

Phospholipid

A type of lipid that forms the cell membrane, consisting of two fatty acids, a glycerol, and a phosphate group.

Saturated Fat

A fat that has no double bonds between the carbon atoms, typically solid at room temperature.

Unsaturated Fat

A fat that has one or more double bonds in its fatty acid chains, typically liquid at room temperature.

Chaperone Proteins

Proteins that assist in the folding and stabilization of other proteins.

Denaturation

The process in which proteins lose their structure and function due to environmental changes.