Organic Chemistry

essential molecules to living organisms

carbs, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids

monosaccharide

simple sugar, major one is glucose

isomer

molecules that have the same number/types of atoms but differ in their 3-D arrangement

disaccharides

two simple sugars bound by a dehydration reaction

polysaccharides

long chains of many monosaccharides

fats

ingested and broken down by hydrolysis; protects, insulates, and energy sources

triglyceride

composed of glycerol and fatty acids

saturated fatty acid

contains all single bonds in the carbon chain, produces rigid structure, generally solid

unsaturated fatty acid

contains one (mono) or more (poly) double bonds in the carbon chain, which produces a more relaxed structure, generally liquid

trans fats

unsaturated fats that are artificially altered to be more saturated, highest cardiovascular risk fat

phospholipids

one fatty acid replaced with a phosphate group; polar (hydrophilic) and non-polar on one end and (hydrophobic) at the other; important structural component of cell membranes

eicosanoids

derived from fatty acids, important regulatory molecules

fat-soluble vitamins

non-polar molecules essential for normal functioning

steroids

lipids with four ring like structure

cholesterol

component of cell membranes; precursor for steroid hormones

bile salts

digestion and absorption of lipids

amino acid

building block of protein

peptide bonds

covalent bonds formed between amino acids during protein synthesis by dehydration

primary protein structure

amino acid sequence

secondary protein structure

results from hydrogen bonding between amino acids

denaturation

change in shape caused by breaking of H-bonds by heat or pH changes

tertiary protein structure

large scale folding due to interactions within protein and surrounding environment which is generally water

quaternary protein structure

results from the association of two or more protein (subunits)

enzymes

protein catalysts that lower the activation energy necessary for a reaction to occur; bring reactants into close proximity

active site

where reactants attach in three-dimensional shapes

lock and key model

reaction that occurs when reactants bind to active bind

induced fit model

when enzymes change to accommodate the shape of specific reactants

cofactors

nonprotein substances that combine with active site and make nonfunctional enzymes functional

coenzymes

organic cofactors (often vitamins)

nucleotides

composed of a five carbon sugar (deoxyribose or ribose) a nitrogenous base and a phosphate

DNA

genetic material of cells copied from one generation to next

gene

sequence of bases that codes for synthesis of RNA or protein

adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

energy currency of the body because it both stores energy and provides energy