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Ch. 3 key terms OS
macromolecules
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| amino acid | a protein's monomer; has a central carbon or alpha carbon to which an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen, and an R group or side chain is attached; the R group is different for all 20 of them. |
| biological macromolecule | large molecule necessary for life that is built from smaller organic molecules |
| carbohydrate | biological macromolecule in which the ratio of carbon to hydrogen and to oxygen is 1:2:1; carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural support in cells and form arthropods' cellular exoskeleton |
| cellulose | polysaccharide that comprises the plants' cell wall; provides structural support to the cell |
| chitin | type of carbohydrate that forms the outer skeleton of all arthropods that include crustaceans and insects; it also forms fungi cell walls |
| dehydration synthesis | (also, condensation) reaction that links monomer molecules, releasing a water molecule for each bond formed |
| denaturation | loss of shape in a protein as a result of changes in temperature, pH, or chemical exposure |
| deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) | double-helical molecule that carries the cell's hereditary information |
| disaccharide | two sugar monomers that a glycosidic bond links |
| enzyme | catalyst in a biochemical reaction that is usually a complex or conjugated protein |
| glycogen | storage carbohydrate in animals |
| hormone | chemical signaling molecule, usually protein or steroid, secreted by endocrine cells that act to control or regulate specific physiological processes |
| hydrolysis | reaction that causes breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules by utilizing water |
| lipid | macromolecule that is nonpolar and insoluble in water |
| messenger RNA (mRNA) | RNA that carries information from DNA to ribosomes during protein synthesis |
| monomer | smallest unit of larger molecules that are polymers |
| monosaccharide | single unit or monomer of carbohydrates |
| nucleic acid | biological macromolecule that carries the cell's genetic blueprint and carries instructions for the cell's functioning |
| nucleotide | monomer of nucleic acids; contains a pentose sugar, one or more phosphate groups, and a nitrogenous base |
| peptide bond | bond formed between two amino acids by a dehydration reaction |
| phosphodiester linkage | covalent chemical bond that holds together the polynucleotide chains with a phosphate group linking neighboring nucleotides' two pentose sugars |
| phospholipid | membranes' major constituent; comprised of two fatty acids and a phosphate-containing group attached to a glycerol backbone |
| polymer | chain of monomer that covalent bonds link. |
| polynucleotide | long chain of nucleotides |
| polypeptide | long chain of amino acids that peptide bonds link |
| polysaccharide | long chain of monosaccharides; may be branched or unbranched |
| primary structure | linear sequence of amino acids in a protein |
| protein | biological macromolecule comprised of one or more amino acid chains |
| purine | type of nitrogenous base in DNA and RNA; adenine and guanine are examples. |
| pyrimidine | type of nitrogenous base in DNA and RNA; cytosine, thymine, and uracil are examples. |
| ribonucleic acid (RNA) | single-stranded, often internally base paired, molecule that is involved in protein synthesis |
| ribosomal RNA (rRNA) | RNA that ensures the proper alignment of the mRNA and the ribosomes during protein synthesis and catalyzes forming the peptide linkage |
| saturated fatty acid | long-chain hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds in the carbon chain; the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon skeleton is maximized |
| starch | storage carbohydrate in plants |
| steroid | type of lipid comprised of four fused hydrocarbon rings forming a planar structure |
| trans fat | fat formed artificially by hydrogenating oils, leading to a different arrangement of double bond(s) than those in naturally occurring lipids |
| transcription | process through which messenger RNA forms on a template of DNA |
| transfer RNA (tRNA) | RNA that carries activated amino acids to the site of protein synthesis on the ribosome |
| translation | process through which RNA directs the protein's formation |
| triacylglycerol (also, triglyceride) | fat molecule; consists of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule |
| unsaturated fatty acid | long-chain hydrocarbon that has one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain |
| wax | lipid comprised of a long-chain fatty acid that is esterified to a long-chain alcohol; serves as a protective coating on some feathers, aquatic mammal fur, and leaves |
Created by:
christine.thompson
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