Term | Definition |
rate | a comparison of two quantities that shows what happens to one when the other increases or decreases |
slope | the 'steepness' of a line on a line graph…the steeper the slope the faster the rate of change |
energy | the ability to do work (doesn't take up space and doesn't have mass) |
chain molecule | a group of simple molecules chemically bonded together |
simple molecule | a group of atoms chemically bonded together |
atom | the smallest piece of an element |
chemical bond | connection that holds atoms together to form molecules |
chemical reaction | when atoms or molecules are rearranged and new substances are produced and energy is released or stored in the process |
reactants | name for substances at the beginning of a chemical reaction (before they react) |
products | name for substances at the end of a chemical reaction (after they have reacted) |
arrow | the "yields" sign in a chemical equation...points to what new substances will be made in the reaction |
triangle | the "delta" sign in a chemical equation…means "change in" whatever is being talked about |
metabolism | all the chemical reactions that take place inside a living organism |
anabolism | part of metabolism that involves using simpler molecules to build more complex molecules (and store energy in the process) |
catabolism | part of metabolism that involves breaking more complex molecules down in to simpler molecules (and release energy in the process) |
photosynthesis | chemical reaction that takes place in the chloroplasts of producers to produce sugars as a food source |
respiration | chemical reaction that takes place in the mitochondria of both consumers and producers which releases the energy trapped in sugars |
biological molecules | the four basic building blocks of living things: carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids |
carbohydrate | biological molecule that is the main chemical used to release energy in mitochondria |
lipid | biological molecule that is used to make cell membranes and for storage of chemical energy |
protein | biological molecule that is used to build cell parts and to do jobs for the cell |
nucleic acid | biological molecule that stores the codes for how to make and run the cell |
chemical indicator | a liquid that changes color or appearance when mixed with certain substances |