Unit Vocab

Cards (31)

  • Starch
    A polysaccharide composed of glucose units, used by plants for energy storage. It consists of two forms: amylose (linear) and amylopectin (branched).
  • Glycogen
    A highly branched polysaccharide that serves as the primary storage form of glucose in animals, allowing for rapid energy release.
  • Cellulose
    A structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants, consisting of linear chains of glucose molecules, providing rigidity and strength.
  • Fat
    primarily made up of triglycerides (fatty acids and glycerol).
  • Fatty Acid
    A carboxylic acid with a long hydrocarbon chain, which can be saturated or unsaturated
  • Triacylglycerol
    Also known as triglycerides, these are lipids formed from one glycerol molecule and three fatty acids. They are a major form of energy storage in organisms.
  • Saturated Fat
    A type of fatty acid that contains no double bonds between carbon atoms, resulting in a straight chain that can pack tightly, typically solid at room temperature (animals)
  • Unsaturated Fat
    Fatty acids that contain one or more double bonds, causing bends in the chain that prevent tight packing, usually liquid at room temperature (oil, plants)
  • Phospholipid
    A lipid molecule with two fatty acids, a glycerol backbone, and a phosphate group, crucial for forming cell membranes due to their hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) properties.
  • Cholesterol
    A type of sterol lipid that is a key component of cell membranes
  • Catalyst
    A substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without being consumed; in biological systems, enzymes (proteins) act as catalysts.
  • Polypeptide
    A chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds; polypeptides fold into specific three-dimensional structures to form functional proteins.
  • Protein
    Large biomolecules made up of one or more polypeptides that perform various functions in the body, including catalysis, structure, transport, and signaling.
  • Amino Acid
    The building blocks of , consist of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines the characteristics of the amino acid.
  • Peptide Bond
    The covalent bond formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another, resulting in the linkage of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
  • Lipids
    hydrophobic molecules that include fats, oils, and phospholipids, serving as energy storage and structural components of cell membranes.
  • Proteins
    large molecules made up of amino acids that perform a wide range of functions, including catalyzing reactions, providing structure, and transporting substances.
  • Polysaccharide
    long sugar chains that serve as energy storage or structural support
  • Ionic bonding is the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.
  • Covalent bonding occurs when two atoms share electrons.
  • Hydrogen bonds are weak attractions between hydrogen atoms on one molecule and an oxygen or nitrogen atom on another molecule
  • Van der Waals forces are temporary dipole-dipole attractions between nonpolar molecules.
  • Polar molecule
    Unequal sharing of electrons, resulting in a molecule with positive and negative ends. 
  • Non-Polar
    Equal sharing of electrons, resulting in a molecule with no positive or negative ends.
  • Cohesion
    Water molecules stick to each other, leading to surface tension and allowing for phenomena like water droplets.
  • Adhesion
    Water molecules can adhere to other substances, which helps in processes like capillary action.
  • Polarity
    Water is polar
  • High specific heat
    Water can absorb a lot of heat without a significant temperature change, helping to regulate climate and body temperature.
  • Universal Solvent
    Water is the universal solvent
  • Density of water (solid)

    Ice floats
  • Heat of vaporization
    Water needs a lot of temperate/heat to turn into a vapor/gas