Polymers

Atom

The smallest unit of matter.

Nucleus

The center of an atom, containing protons and neutrons.

Proton

A positively charged particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Neutron

A neutral particle found in the nucleus of an atom.

Electron

A negatively charged particle that orbits the nucleus of an atom.

Element

A pure substance made of the same type of atoms.

Molecule

Two or more elements chemically bonded together.

Macromolecule

A large molecule typically formed from the combination of smaller units called monomers.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds that provide energy; a type of macromolecule.

Protein

A macromolecule that performs many functions in the body.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, a macromolecule that carries genetic information.

Monomer

A small molecule that can join together to form larger molecules called polymers.

Polymer

A large molecule made up of repeating units called monomers.

Dehydration Synthesis

A process that joins monomers to form polymers by removing water.

Hydrolysis

A process that breaks down polymers into monomers by adding water.

Covalent Bond

A strong chemical bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons.

Linear Polymer

Polymers that have a single long chain structure.

Branched Polymer

Polymers that have multiple branching chains.

Exergonic Reaction

Reactions that release energy by breaking covalent bonds.

Endergonic Reaction

Reactions that absorb energy to build molecules.

Polymerization

The process of joining monomers together to form polymers.

Starch

A carbohydrate polymer made from glucose units.

Cellulose

A carbohydrate that provides structural support in plant cell walls.

Glycogen

A branched carbohydrate used for energy storage in animals.

Raffinose

A carbohydrate polymer made of one glucose, one galactose, and one fructose.

Lignin

A complex organic polymer that strengthens plant structure.

Synthetic Polymer

Man-made polymers created by chemists, such as plastics.

Biodegradable Plastics

Plastics designed to break down naturally in the environment.

Amino Acid

The building block of proteins.

Peptide Bond

The bond formed between two amino acids during protein synthesis.

Nucleotide

The building block of nucleic acids like DNA and RNA.

Photosynthesis

An endergonic reaction where plants use solar energy to make glucose.

Cellular Respiration

An exergonic process that converts glucose into energy.

Polysaccharide

A carbohydrate polymer composed of many sugar units.

DNA Polymerase

An enzyme that synthesizes new strands of DNA during DNA replication.

Hydrophobic

Water-repelling; does not mix with water.

Hydrophilic

Water-attracting; mixes with water.

Nucleic Acid

Polymers made from nucleotide monomers, including DNA and RNA.

Structural Polymer

Polymers that provide support and structure in living organisms.

Polyethylene

A commonly used synthetic polymer, used in plastic bags and containers.

Polystyrene

A synthetic polymer used in foam and insulation.

Vulcanized Rubber

A durable synthetic polymer used in tires and industrial products.

Covalent Bond Strength

The measure of how strongly atoms in a covalent bond are held together.

Hydrocarbon Backbone

The long chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms found in many synthetic polymers.

Carbohydrate Digestion

The process of breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars.

Enzyme

A protein that accelerates a chemical reaction in the body.

Ecological Impact

The effect of human activity on the environment.

Chemical Additive

Substances added to polymers to enhance their properties.

Natural Polymer

Polymers that occur naturally in biological systems.

Biological Macromolecules

Large molecules essential for life, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions occurring in a living organism.

Genetic Information

Instructions encoded in DNA that determine the traits of an organism.

Energy Storage

The capability of a molecule to store energy for later use.

Biochemical Reaction

A chemical reaction occurring in living organisms.

Organic Compound

A compound made primarily of carbon atoms.

Synthesis

The process of creating complex compounds from simpler components.

Digestion

The process of breaking down food into smaller components for absorption.

Substrate

The substance on which an enzyme acts during a biochemical reaction.

Genetic Expression

The process by which the information in a gene is used to synthesize a functional gene product.

Protein Synthesis

The process of creating proteins based on the genetic information in DNA.

Molecular Biology

The study of biology at a molecular level, including the interactions between DNA, RNA, and proteins.

Exoskeleton

A hard outer structure that provides support and protection, found in some organisms like insects.

Cellulose Formation

The process by which glucose molecules are linked to form cellulose.

Lipid

A group of organic compounds that are hydrophobic and not polymers.

Genetic Engineering

The manipulation of an organism's DNA to alter its characteristics.

Sustainable Material

Materials that can be produced and disposed of in a way that conserves resources and minimizes environmental impact.

Thermoplastic

A type of plastic that becomes soft when heated and hardens upon cooling.

Amphipathic Molecule

A molecule that has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic parts.

Bioinformatics

The application of computer technology to the understanding and effective use of biological data.

Reversible Reaction

A chemical reaction that can proceed in both forward and reverse directions.

Organism

Any living thing, including plants, animals, and microorganisms.

Green Chemistry

The design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances.

Chemical Bond

An attraction between atoms that allows the formation of chemical substances.

Energy Transfer

The process of energy moving from one place or system to another.

Nutrient

A substance that provides essential nourishment to living organisms.

Aquatic Plants

Plants that thrive in water and contribute to aquatic ecosystems.

Photosynthetic Organism

An organism that can produce its own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.

Cellular Structures

Physical structures of cells that are essential for their function and survival.

Microbial Polymer

Polymers produced by microorganisms, often used for bioplastics.

Biopolymer

A naturally occurring polymer produced by living organisms, such as proteins or polysaccharides.

Vermicompost

Organic matter produced by earthworms that is used as fertilizer.

Resilience

The ability of an organism to recover from environmental stress.

Biodegradation

The process by which organic substances are broken down by the action of living organisms.

Agricultural Polymer

Polymers used to improve the growth and health of plants in farming.

Biopharmaceutical

A pharmaceutical product made from biological sources.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed.

Carbon Cycle

The series of processes by which carbon compounds are interconverted in the environment.

Ecotoxicology

The study of the effects of toxic chemicals on biological organisms.

Hydrocarbon

An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon.

Thermal Resistance

The ability of a material to withstand temperature fluctuations.

Antimicrobial Polymer

Polymers engineered to resist the growth of microorganisms.

Bioavailability

The degree and rate at which a substance is absorbed and used by a living organism.

Polymer Blends

Materials made by mixing two or more different polymers.

Cell Wall

A rigid layer that provides structural support to plant cells and certain microorganisms.

Soft Drink Polymers

Polymers used in the packaging and production of soft drinks.

Microbial Fuel Cell

A bio-electrochemical system that converts organic substrates into electrical energy.

Self-Healing Polymer

A polymer capable of repairing itself after damage.

Radiation-Resistant Polymer

Polymers designed to withstand degradation due to radiation.

Mitochondria

Organelles in cells that generate energy through respiration.

Nutrient Cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.