Macromolecule vocab Flashcards
macromolecule
a very large molecule, essential for biological processes, formed by the repetitive linking of smaller chemical units called monomers, forming polymers like proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates.
organic
relating to or denoting compounds containing carbon (other than simple binary compounds and salts) and chiefly or ultimately of biological origin.
monomer
a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer.
polymer
large molecules made by bonding (chemically linking) a series of building blocks.
carbohydrates
any of a large group of organic compounds that includes sugars, starch, and cellulose, containing hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2:1) and used as structural materials and for energy storage within living tissues.
lipids
any of various organic compounds that are insoluble in water.
fatty acids
the building blocks of the fat in our bodies and in the food we eat
protein
A molecule made up of amino acids.
amino acids
molecules that combine to form proteins
enzymes
proteins that help speed up metabolism, or the chemical reactions in our bodies
catalyst
a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.
nucleic acids
large biomolecules that play essential roles in all cells and viruses
nucleotide
the basic building block of nucleic acids (RNA and DNA)
hormone
a chemical messenger produced by endocrine glands or tissues, released into the bloodstream, and that travels to target cells or organs to regulate specific physiological functions
steroids
Any of a group of lipids (fats) that have a certain chemical structure
dehydration synthesis
a chemical process where two molecules combine, resulting in the formation of a larger molecule and the release of a water molecule
hydrolysis
a chemical reaction where a molecule of water breaks down a larger molecule by splitting a bond and adding the hydrogen and hydroxyl ions of water
