Unit 2 - Chemistry of Life Vocab

Question 1

Activation Energy

Answer 1

the amount of energy needed to start a reaction

Question 2

Active Site

Answer 2

The part of the enzyme where a substrate touches to form a chemical reaction

Question 3

Amino Acid

Answer 3

Molecules that combine to form proteins; monomers of proteins

Question 4

Bond

Answer 4

Attraction between atoms

Question 5

Buffer

Answer 5

Substance that neutralizes the pH of a substance

Question 6

Capillary Action

Answer 6

Movement of water through small, passable material because of adhesion, cohesion, and surface tension

Question 7

Carbohydrate

Answer 7

Biological compound that’s the bodies main sources of energy; when metabolized, released energy. Three types: starches, sugars, and fiber

Question 8

Cellulose

Answer 8

Fiber found in plant cell walls

Question 9

Cuticle (plant)

Answer 9

Outer layer of plants that protects them from environment

Question 10

Denatured Enzyme

Answer 10

Enzyme changes shape making it unable to function because of exposure to extreme temperatures.

Question 11

Disaccharide

Answer 11

sugar made of two simple sugars (monosaccharides); ex. glucose + fructose = sucrose

Question 12

Enzymes

Answer 12

Protein that speed up chemical reactions (catalyst) in our bodies by building or breaking down substances

Question 13

Glycogen

Answer 13

polysaccharide that stores excess sugar in the liver and muscles

Question 14

Hemoglobin

Answer 14

protein that carries oxygen in red blood cells; different with those with sickle cell anemia

Question 15

Hormone

Answer 15

Messanger substances that affect body functions like growth and metabolism

Question 16

Insulin

Answer 16

Protein hormone that lowers glucose

Question 17

Lipid

Answer 17

Fatty, waxy, or oily organic compound that are insoluble (can’t dissolve) in water

Question 18

Lock and Key Model

Answer 18

Model for enzyme-substrate interaction; also shows the shape of enzyme and substrate

Question 19

Monomer

Answer 19

a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer/macromolecule (ex. Amino acids for proteins)

Question 20

Monosaccharide

Answer 20

the smallest, simple sugars; ex. glucose and fructose

Question 21

Nucleic Acid

Answer 21

Molecule that stores genetic information; made of monomers called nucleotides (ex. DNA and RNA)

Question 22

Nucleotide
|
(Monomer)

Answer 22

molecule that makes nucleic acids; made of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogenous base

Question 23

Organic

Answer 23

Compounds/molecules that contain 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻 and 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻

Question 24

Peptide Bond

Answer 24

chemical bond between the amino acids of a protein

Question 25

Polarity

Answer 25

Uneven distribution of charge in a molecule; ex. water contains oxygen (-) and hydrogen (+)

Question 26

Polymer

Answer 26

Substance made from monomers; also called macromolecules

Question 27

Polypeptide

Answer 27

Chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds

Question 28

Polysaccharide

Answer 28

Chain of carbohydrates, made of smaller monosaccharides (ex. starch, glycogen, chitin, and fiber)

Question 29

Protein

Answer 29

macromolecule (polymer) made of amino acids (monomer)

Question 30

Starch

Answer 30

polysaccharide that stores food in plants

Question 31

Steriod

Answer 31

cholesterol-based hormone; ex. testosterone

Question 32

Substrate

Answer 32

Molecule that binds to the enzyme’s active site

Question 33

Catalyst

Answer 33

Substance that speeds up a chemical reaction

Question 34

Endergonic/endothermic reaction

Answer 34

Chemical reaction that absorbs heat; decreases temperature
of environment

Question 35

Exergonic/exothermic reaction

Answer 35

Chemical reaction that releases heat; increases temperature of environment

Question 36

Macromolecule

Answer 36

Large molecule used in biological processes