Carbohydrates, Lipids, and Proteins Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts regarding carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins important for understanding biological macromolecules.

Carbohydrates

Organic compounds consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, primarily provide energy.

Monosaccharide

The simplest form of carbohydrates, consisting of single sugar molecules, e.g., glucose.

Disaccharide

A carbohydrate formed from two monosaccharides, e.g., sucrose.

Polysaccharide

Carbohydrates that are made up of multiple monosaccharides, e.g., glycogen.

Glycosidic bond

The bond that links monosaccharides together to form disaccharides.

Glucose

A monosaccharide that serves as a primary energy source for cells.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that forms the structural component of plant cell walls.

Amylase

An enzyme that breaks down starch into simpler sugars.

Sucrose

A disaccharide commonly known as table sugar.

Chemical formula for glucose

C6H12O6, representing its molecular composition.

Glycogen

A polysaccharide stored in animals, primarily in the liver and muscles, for energy.

Lactose

A disaccharide sugar found in milk.

Starch

A polysaccharide that serves as a stored form of energy in plants.

Hydrolysis

The process by which complex carbohydrates are broken down into simpler sugars.

Dietary fiber

Non-digestible carbohydrates like cellulose that aid in digestion.

Maltose

A disaccharide composed of two glucose molecules.

Fructose

A monosaccharide found in fruits and honey.

Triglycerides

Type of lipid composed of three fatty acids and one glycerol molecule.

Phospholipids

Lipids that form the structure of cell membranes, containing a hydrophobic tail and hydrophilic head.

Cholesterol

A type of lipid important for making steroid hormones.

Unsaturated fatty acid

A fatty acid containing one or more double bonds between carbon atoms.

Saturated fats

Fats that are typically solid at room temperature and contain no double bonds.

Ester bond

The bond formed between fatty acids and glycerol in triglycerides.

Trans fats

Artificially hydrogenated fats that can increase the risk of heart disease.

Carotenoids

Pigments found in plants that help prevent vitamin A deficiency and are lipid-soluble.

Myoglobin

A protein that carries oxygen in muscles.

Albumin

A protein that maintains osmotic pressure in the blood.

Collagen

A structural protein found in skin, hair, and nails.

Hemoglobin

A globular protein responsible for oxygen transport in blood.

Peptide bond

The bond that links amino acids together to form proteins.

Essential amino acids

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from diet.

Denaturation

The process where a protein loses its native shape and function, often due to environmental changes.

Sickle cell anemia

A disease associated with a misfolded protein that affects hemoglobin.

Antibodies

Proteins involved in the immune response.

Secondary structure of proteins

The level of protein structure characterized by alpha helices and beta pleated sheets.

Linear sequence of amino acids

Also known as the primary structure of a protein.

Globular proteins

Proteins that are soluble in water and have a spherical shape.

Fibrous proteins

Proteins that are insoluble in water and have a structural role.

Lysine

An essential amino acid important for protein synthesis.

Translation

The process by which proteins are synthesized from amino acids.

Lipids

Organic compounds that are hydrophobic and play roles in energy storage and cell membrane structure.

Dietary lipids

Includes fats and oils that provide energy and essential fatty acids.

Fatty acid

Building blocks of lipids, consisting of long hydrocarbon chains.

Triglycerides

Main form of stored fat in the body composed of three fatty acids and glycerol.

Steroid hormones

Lipid-based hormones that regulate various physiological processes.

Omega-3 fatty acids

A type of polyunsaturated fat known for health benefits, often found in fish oils.

Lipolysis

The metabolic process through which lipids are broken down to provide energy.

Protein functions

Built for structure, function, regulation, and catalyzing biochemical reactions.

Enzymes

Proteins that act as biological catalysts, lowering the activation energy of reactions.

Amino acid structure

Contains an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a unique side chain (R group).

Quaternary structure

The highest level of protein structure involving multiple polypeptide chains.

Catalytic activity

The ability of enzymes to accelerate biochemical reactions.

Protein phosphorylation

A regulatory mechanism involving the addition of a phosphate group to a protein.

Hydrogen bonding in proteins

Important for maintaining secondary and tertiary structures.

Transcription

Process of creating a complementary RNA copy from a DNA template.

Gene expression

The process where information from a gene is used to synthesize proteins.

Protein folding

The process by which a protein assumes its functional shape.

Signal transduction

The process of transmitting signals from a cell's exterior to its interior.

Peptide synthesis

The formation of peptide bonds between amino acids during protein synthesis.

Leucine

An essential branched-chain amino acid important for muscle protein synthesis.

Proteins in blood

Includes enzymes, antibodies, and transport proteins that perform various functions.

Receptor proteins

Proteins that receive and transmit signals to cells.

Muscle contraction proteins

Includes actin and myosin that facilitate movement.

Allosteric regulation

Control of enzymatic activity through conformational changes.

Feedback inhibition

A regulatory mechanism where the end product inhibits an earlier step in the pathway.

Biological catalysts

Molecules that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process.

Protein purification

The process of isolating a specific protein from a complex mixture.

Gene therapy

Modifying genes in an individual's cells for therapeutic purposes.

Monomer

The basic building block of larger molecules like proteins and polysaccharides.

Bioinformatics

The use of software and algorithms to understand biological data.

Integrin proteins

Proteins that facilitate cell adhesion and communication.

Neurotransmitter proteins

Proteins that play a key role in signal transmission in the nervous system.

Plasma membrane proteins

Proteins embedded in the cell membrane that are involved in transport and communication.

Extracellular matrix proteins

Provide structural support to surrounding cells within tissues.