Living organisms contain a variety of organic molecules, including macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids. Enzymes, which are proteins, act as catalysts to speed up biochemical reactions, with their activity centered around the active site.
Dehydration synthesis: The
process of joining two molecules
together following the removal
of water forming a larger molecule
Polymers: A long chain of subunits
forming a molecular structure
Nucleic acids: Nucleotide chains
that transfer and express
genetic information, they are
polymers of nucleotides
Proteins: Amino acid chains
with a variety of functions
such as transporting and
are polymers of amino acids
Peptide bond: Links
amino acids together
to form peptides and
polypeptides.
Amino acid: Has a central
atom bonded to a hydrogen
atom and three other groups
attached.
RNA: A nucleic acids
present in all living
cells that acts as a
messenger carrying
DNA instructions.
DNA: Self replicating material
present in nearly all living
organisms
Carbohydrates: Sugars that store energy
such as starch or glycogen and are
polymers of glucose. Carbs always
have a 1:2:1 ration of carbon (1), hydrogen
(2) and oxygen (1).
Disaccharide: Made up of
two monosaccharides
(e.g. maltose)
Monosaccharide: Contains between 3-7 carbon atoms (e.g. glucose)
Monomers: Single subunits (molecules)
that can be attached to make polymers
Lipids: Consists of glycerol paired
with fatty acids used for energy
storage in cell membranes
A
Unsaturated fats: Have some
double bonds between carbons
leaving room for additional
H atoms. They are liquid at room
temp and have a plant source.
Saturated fats: No double
covalent bonds between
carbon atoms, therefore
contain all possible H atoms.
They are solid at room temp
and come from an animal source.
Subunits: A single protein molecule
that assembles with another protein
molecule to form a protein complez
Hydrolysis: When water
is added to a large molecule
in order to break it down
Organic molecules: A molecule
found in a living organism
Macromolecules: Relatively large
complex organic molecules found
in living organisms
Isomer: One of two or more
compounds made of the same
formula but with a different
arrangement of atoms in the
molecule
Enzymes: A substance produced
by a living organism that serves
as a catalyst to bring about
a specific biochemical reaction
Inhibitors: A substance that slows down
or stops a reaction within the body
Competitive inhibitors: Inhibitors that
compete with the substrate trying
to enter the active site in order to
slow or shut down a reaction
Non-competitive inhibitors: An inhibitor
that attaches to a site and forcibly changes
the shape of an enzyme in order to shut or
slow it down
Active site: A region on an
enzyme that binds to a
protein / substrate during
a reaction
Induced fit: When the active site
changes shape in order to fit the
reacting substrate
Substrate: Molecules in the
body that carry out certain
functions or tasks
Catalyst: A substance that increases
the rate of a chemical reactions
