Cell Biology Chapter 2: Biochem

Atom

The basic unit of a chemical element, composed of protons, neutrons, and electrons.

Molecule

A group of two or more atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound.

Isotope

Atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons.

Ionic bond

A chemical bond formed between two ions with opposite charges.

Covalent bond

A bond formed when atoms share electrons.

Hydrogen bond

A weak bond between two molecules resulting from an electrostatic attraction between a proton in one molecule and an electronegative atom in the other.

pH scale

A scale used to specify the acidity or basicity of an aqueous solution.

Buffer

A solution that resists changes in pH when small amounts of acid or base are added.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join together with other similar molecules to form a polymer.

Polymer

A large molecule made up of chains of monomers.

Dehydration synthesis

A chemical reaction that combines small molecules to form large ones by removing water.

Hydrolysis

A chemical reaction that breaks down compounds by the addition of water.

Carbohydrate

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

Lipids

Organic compounds that are hydrophobic (not soluble in water), including fats and steroids.

Protein

Large biomolecules consisting of one or more long chains of amino acid residues, essential for various functions in the body.

Nucleic acid

Biomacromolecules that carry genetic information, such as DNA and RNA.

Amino acid

Organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

Enzyme

Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body.

Nucleotide

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

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The main energy carrier in cells, used to drive various cellular processes.