Term | Definition |
steroids | large lipid molecules composed of 4 connected rings of carbon atoms (ex: cholesterol) |
cholesterol | best-known steroid |
phospholipids | consists of a glycerol & 2 fatty acids linked to a nonpolar group (ex: lechithin) |
fatty acids | lauric acid |
fats | monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides |
proteins | most abundant organic component of the human body |
support | structural proteins create a three-dimensional framework for the body, providing strength, organization, and support for cells, tissues, and organs |
movement | contractile proteins are responsible for muscular contraction; related proteins are responsible for the movement of individual cells |
transport | insoluble lipids, respiratory gases, minerals such as iron, and several hormones are carried in the blood attached to transport proteins; other specialized proteins transport minerals between different parts of a cell |
buffering | proteins provide a buffering action, helping to prevent potentially dangerous changes in pH in cells and tissues |
metabolic regulation | enzymes speed up chemical reactions in living cells; the sensitivity of enzymes to environmental factors is extremely important in controlling the pace ad direction of metabolic operations |
coordination & control | protein hormones can influence the metabolic activities of every cell in the body or affect the function of specific organs or organ systems |
defense | the tough, waterproof proteins of the skin, hair, and nails protect the body from environmental hazards; proteins known as antibodies protect us from disease, and special clotting proteins restrict bleeding following an injury to the cardiovascular system |
enzyme function | The reactants in an enzymatic reaction (substrates) interact to form a specific product. Before an enzyme can function as a catalyst, the substrates must bind to a special region of the enzyme (active site). |
nucleic acids | large organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus; store & process information at the molecular level inside cells (ex: DNA & RNA) |
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) | determines our inherited characteristics (eye color, hair color, blood type); builds proteins; controls the shape & physical characteristics of our bodies (adenine, guanine, cytosine, & thymine) |
ribonucleic acid (RNA) | cooperate to manufacture specific proteins using information provided by DNA (adenine, guanine, cytosine, & uracil) |