Biology Topics: Characteristics of Life, Water Properties, Biomolecules, Macromolecules, and Enzymes

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the video notes on life properties, water structure and properties, biomolecules, macromolecules, and enzymes.

Cellular Organization

To be considered alive, an organism must be made of cells (unicellular or multicellular).

DNA (Genetic Material)

Genetic material that stores hereditary information in organisms.

Metabolism

All energy-using chemical reactions in a cell.

Growth and Development

Increase in size and progression through life stages.

Reproduction

Production of offspring (sexual or asexual).

Response to Stimuli

Ability to detect and respond to environmental changes.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

Evolution

Genetic changes in populations across generations.

Water (H2O)

Polar molecule essential for life; solvent in cells.

Polarity

Water's polarity: oxygen negative, hydrogens positive.

Hydrogen Bond

Weak bond between water molecules contributing to many properties.

Cohesion

Attraction between like molecules (water–water).

Adhesion

Attraction between water and other surfaces.

Surface Tension

Resistance of a liquid surface to breaking; due to cohesive forces.

High Specific Heat

Water resists temperature changes, stabilizing environments.

Universal Solvent

Water dissolves many solutes; enables cell reactions.

Ice Floats

Ice is less dense than liquid water and floats.

Catalyst

Substance that speeds up a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Denature

Loss of protein/enzyme shape due to pH or temperature.

Monomer

A single building block that can join to form polymers.

Polymer

A large molecule made of many monomers linked together.

Biomolecule

One of the four major organic molecule classes: carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids.

Macromolecule

Very large organic molecule built from many monomers.

Density

Mass per unit volume; affects buoyancy and changes with phase.

Specific Heat Capacity

Energy required to raise the temperature of 1 g by 1°C.

Carbohydrates

Monomer: monosaccharide; Polymer: polysaccharide; Quick energy storage; Elements: C, H, O in 1:2:1 ratio; Examples: bread, rice, sugar.

Monosaccharide

Single sugar unit (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose).

Polysaccharide

Carbohydrates made of many monosaccharides (e.g., starch, glycogen, cellulose).

Glycogen

Animal storage polysaccharide; highly branched.

Starch

Plant storage polysaccharide; energy reserve.

Cellulose

Plant structural polysaccharide in cell walls.

Lipids

Monomer: glycerol + fatty acids; Polymer: triglyceride; Functions: long-term energy, insulation, waterproofing, membranes; Elements: C, H (little O).

Glycerol + Fatty Acids

Components of lipids; form triglycerides.

Triglyceride

Three fatty acids attached to glycerol; main storage fat.

Proteins

Monomer: amino acids; Polymer: polypeptide/protein; Functions: structure, enzymes, transport, defense, hormones, homeostasis.

Amino Acids

Building blocks of proteins; 20 common types.

Polypeptide

Chain of amino acids that folds into a protein.

Nucleic Acids

Monomer: nucleotide; Polymer: DNA, RNA; Functions: store/transmit genetic info and make proteins.

Nucleotide

Sugar + phosphate + base; building block of DNA/RNA.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid; stores genetic information; located in the nucleus.

RNA

Ribonucleic acid; participates in protein synthesis.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as catalysts to speed reactions.

Active Site

Region of the enzyme where the substrate binds.

Substrate

The molecule that the enzyme acts upon.

Lock and Key Model

Classic model where substrate fits the enzyme's active site exactly.

Induced Fit Model

Enzyme adjusts shape to better fit the substrate.

Enzyme Specificity

Enzymes are specific for particular substrates.

Activation Energy

Energy barrier that must be overcome for a reaction; enzymes lower it.

Enzyme Reusability

Enzymes can be reused in multiple reactions.