Unit 2 Glossary Flashcards
Anabolism
synthesis of complex molecules from simpler molecules, including the formation of macromolecules from monomers by condensation reactions
Catabolism
The breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules, including the hydrolysis of macromolecules into monomers
Monosaccharide
simplest form of carbohydrate, that constitutes the building blocks of more complex sugars
Metabolism
The web of all enzyme catalysed reactions in a cell or organism
Urea
A molecule created from ammonia and CO2 as the final nitrogenous excretion product of many living organisms
Peptide bond
A convalent bond that joins the amine group of an amino acid with the carboxyl group of an adjacent amino acid, with the release of a molecule of water
Saturated fat
Fat with all potential hydrogen binding sites filled in its fatty acid tails
Steroids
A lipid based hormone taht is related to the four ring structure of cholesterol
Triglyceride
An energy rich compound made up of 1 glycerol attached to 3 fatty acid molecules
Carbohydrates
Organic compounds with the general formula (CH2O)n including sugars, starch and cellulose that are an important source of food and energy for animals
Proteins
Organic molecule composed of polymers of amino acids joined by peptide bonds and taking a particular 3d shape
Nucleic acid
Linear chains of monomeric nucleotides where each chain is composed of a sugar, phosphoric acid and nitrogenous base.
Lipids
Organic compounds including waxes, sterols, fats, oils and triglycerides that are insoluble in water but soluble in other non-polar organic solvents
Glucose
Monosaccharide sugar that serves as a main source of energy and as an important metabolic substrate for most living organisms
Ribose
Monosaccharide found in RNA and other metabolically important compounds
Vitalism
Doctrine that dictated that:
- Organic molecules could only be synthesised by living organisms
- Organic molecules were different from inorganic as inorganic lacked a certain non-physical element
Hydrogen bond
A weak bond caused by electrostatic attraction between the positively charged part of 1 molecule and the negatively charged part of another.
Electronegativity
Tendency of an atom to attract shared pair of electrons
Hydrophobic interactions
Forces that cause non-polar molecules to stick together when in water
Surface tension
The intermolecular H bonds between water molecules at the surface due to cohesion
Specific heat capacity
The energy required to raise the temperature of 1 kg of a substance by 1 C
Latent heat of vaporisation
Energy required to change the state of a substance from liquid to a gas
Lipoprotein complex
Complex of phospholipids and proteins which form a sphere, carrying cholestreol and lipids inside in the blood plasma
Polypeptide
molecule consisting of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. Main component (often only component) of many priteins
