Biological Molecules and Their Functions

These flashcards cover key concepts from the lecture related to biological molecules, their structures, functions, and relevant definitions.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, commonly used for energy storage and structural functions.

Polysaccharides

Carbohydrates that are made up of a large number of monosaccharides, serving as energy storage or structural components.

Peptide Bond

The chemical bond that forms between two amino acids in proteins.

Organic Molecules

Compounds that contain carbon and are associated with living organisms.

Isomer

Molecules with the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements.

RNA

A single-stranded nucleic acid that plays a role in protein synthesis and can function as a genetic material for some viruses.

DNA

A double-stranded nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions for life.

Saturated Fat

A type of fat that is usually solid at room temperature and contains no double bonds between carbon atoms.

Steroids

A class of lipids characterized by a carbon skeleton with four fused rings, involved in various biological functions.

Cohesion

The tendency of water molecules to stick to each other due to hydrogen bonding.

pH Scale

A measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution, indicating the concentration of hydrogen ions.

Valence Shell

The outermost electron shell of an atom that determines its chemical properties.

Control Group

In an experiment, the group that does not receive the treatment and is used for comparison.

Population

A group of individuals of the same species living in a specific area.

Hydrogen Bond

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

Hydrolysis

A chemical process that splits a molecule by adding water.

Adhesion

The tendency of water molecules to stick to other substances.

Molecule

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