Chapter 2.3 Flashcards
amino acid
a monomer of a protein
carbohydrate
a biological macromolecule in which the ratio of carbon to hydrogen to oxygen is 1:2:1; carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural support in cells
cellulose
a polysaccharide that makes up the cell walls of plants and provides structural support to the cell
chitin
a type of carbohydrate that forms the outer skeleton of arthropods, such as insects and crustaceans, and the cell walls of fungi
denaturation
the loss of shape in a protein as a result of changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
a double-stranded polymer of nucleotides that carries the hereditary information of the cell
disaccharide
two sugar monomers that are linked together by a peptide bond
enzyme
a catalyst in a biochemical reaction that is usually a complex or conjugated protein
fat
a lipid molecule composed of three fatty acids and a glycerol (triglyceride) that typically exists in a solid form at room temperature
glycogen
a storage carbohydrate in animals
hormone
a chemical signaling molecule, usually a protein or steroid, secreted by an endocrine gland or group of endocrine cells; acts to control or regulate specific physiological processes
lipids
a class of macromolecules that are nonpolar and insoluble in water
macromolecule
a large molecule, often formed by polymerization of smaller monomers
monosaccharide
a single unit or monomer of carbohydrates
nucleic acid
a biological macromolecule that carries the genetic information of a cell and carries instructions for the functioning of the cell
nucleotide
a monomer of nucleic acids; contains a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogenous base
oil
an unsaturated fat that is a liquid at room temperature
phospholipid
a major constituent of the membranes of cells; composed of two fatty acids and a phosphate group attached to the glycerol backbone
polypeptide
a long chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
polysaccharide
a long chain of monosaccharides; may be branched or unbranched
protein
a biological macromolecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
a single-stranded polymer of nucleotides that is involved in protein synthesis
saturated fatty acid
a long-chain hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds in the carbon chain; the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon skeleton is maximized
starch
a storage carbohydrate in plants
