Molecules of Life

organic molecule

A molecule that contains only carbon and any of the following: hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and/or phosphorous

inorganic molecule

non-carbon based molecules such as water, oxygen, and ammonia

hydrocarbon

an organic compound containing only carbon and hydrogen

functional group

group of atoms within a molecule that interacts in predictable ways with other molecules

hydrophilic

Having an affinity for water; readily absorbing or dissolving in water.

hydrophobic

Repelling, tending not to combine with, or incapable of dissolving in water.

monomer

small unit that can join together with other small units to form polymers

polymer

large compound formed from combinations of many monomers

carbohydrate

organic compound made of sugar molecules

monosaccharide

a simple sugar that is the basic subunit of a carbohydrate

disaccharide

A double sugar, consisting of two monosaccharides joined by dehydration synthesis.

polysaccharide

a complex molecule composed of three or more monosaccharides

starch

polysaccharide made up of a chain of glucose molecules; food storage molecule for plants

glycogen

An extensively branched glucose storage polysaccharide found in the liver and muscle of animals; the animal equivalent of starch.

lipid

macromolecule made mainly from carbon and hydrogen atoms; includes fats, oils, and waxes