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cell
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| element | any substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances |
| atom | the smallest unit of an element |
| compound | the chemical combination of two or more elements |
| molecule | the smallest unit of most compounds |
| organic compounds | most compounds that contain carbon |
| inorganic compounds | compounds that do not contain the element carbon |
| proteins | large organic molecules made up of carbon hydrogen oxygen nitrogen and in some cases sulfur |
| amino acids | small molecules that make up proteins |
| enzyme | type of protein that speeds up chemical reactions in living things |
| nucleic acids | very large organic molecules made up of carbon oxygen hydrogen nitrogen and phosphorus |
| DNA | type of nucleic acid that passes from parent to offspring and directs all the cells functions |
| RNA | type of nucleic acid that plays an important role in the production of proteins |