Definitions Flashcards
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
A molecule that acts as the energy currency of cells formed
from a molecule of ribose, a molecule of adenine and three phosphate groups.
Amino acid
The monomers containing an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH) and a variable R group that make up proteins.
Benedict’s test
A biochemical test used to test for reducing sugars that produces a different colour based on the amount of reducing sugar present.
Biuret test
A biochemical test that produces a purple solution in the presence of protein.
Cellulose
A polysaccharide made of beta glucose monomers that is used as a structural polysaccharide which provides strength to plant cell walls.
Condensation reaction
A type of reaction that joins two molecules together with the
formation of a chemical bond involving the elimination of a molecule of water.
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
An information storing molecule made up of deoxyribonucleotide monomers joined by phosphodiester bonds to form a double helix.
Dipeptide
Molecules formed by the condensation of two amino acids
Disaccharide
Molecules formed by the condensation of two monosaccharides.
DNA helicase
An enzyme that breaks the hydrogen bonds between the two DNA strands in the DNA molecule that is going to be replicated.
DNA polymerase
An enzyme that catalyses the condensation reactions between the new nucleotides in the synthesis of the new DNA strand.
Enzyme
A protein molecule that acts as a biological catalyst and increases the rate of biochemical reactions.
Glycogen
A highly branched polysaccharide made of alpha glucose monomers that is used
as the main storage of energy in humans and animals.
Glycosidic bond
A bond between two monosaccharides formed in a condensation reaction.
Heat capacity
The amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by a specific amount.
