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.
Hydrolysis
Breaking a chemical bond between two molecules involving the use of a water molecule
Induced-fit model
A model of enzyme action that describes how enzymes undergo subtle conformational changes to better fit the substrate.
Iodine test
A biochemical test used to test for the presence of starch.
Lactose
A disaccharide formed by condensation of a glucose molecule and a galactose
molecule.
Latent heat
The amount of energy needed for a substance to change state.
Lipid emulsion test
A biochemical test that produces a cloudy emulsion when performed
on lipids
Maltose
A disaccharide formed by condensation of two glucose molecules.
Metabolite
A molecule formed or used in metabolic reactions.
Monomers
The smaller units from which larger molecules are made
Monosaccharide
The individual sugar monomers from which larger carbohydrates are
made
Phospholipid
A type of lipid formed by the condensation of one molecule of glycerol, two molecules of fatty acid and a phosphate group.
Polymers
Molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together.
Polypeptide
Molecules formed by the condensation of many amino acids.
Polysaccharide
Molecules formed by the condensation of many monosaccharides
Primary structure
The individual sequence of amino acids in a protein.
Quaternary structure
A structure only applicable to proteins with multiple polypeptide
chains that describes the interactions of the different chains.
Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
A relatively short molecule made up of ribonucleotide monomers
joined by phosphodiester bonds.
Secondary structure
The local interactions of the amino acids in the polypeptide chain.
Semi conservative replication
The production of two daughter DNA molecules from one
DNA molecule which both contain one original DNA strand and one newly synthesised strand.
Solvent
A substance which other solutes are dissolved in.
Starch
A polysaccharide made of alpha glucose monomers that is used as the main storage of energy in plants.
Sucrose
A disaccharide formed by condensation of a glucose molecule and a fructose molecule.
Tertiary structure
The way that the whole protein folds to make a three dimensional
structure.
Triglyceride
A type of lipid formed by the condensation of one molecule of glycerol and three molecules of fatty acid
