Biological Molecules - Def

Created by

Florence Hollyer

Cards (39)

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) 
A molecule acting as the energy currency of cells, composed of ribose, adenine, and three phosphate groups
Amino acid
Monomers containing an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a variable R group, constituting proteins
Benedict's test
A biochemical test for reducing sugars, producing varying colors based on the amount present
Biuret test 
A biochemical test producing a purple solution in the presence of protein
Cellulose
A structural polysaccharide made of beta glucose monomers, providing strength to plant cell walls
Condensation reaction
A reaction joining two molecules with the formation of a chemical bond, involving the elimination of a water molecule
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
An information storing molecule made up of deoxyribonucleotide monomers, forming a double helix
Dipeptide
Molecules formed by the condensation of two amino acids
Disaccharide
Molecules formed by the condensation of two monosaccharides
DNA helicase
An enzyme breaking the hydrogen bonds between the two DNA strands in replication
DNA polymerase
An enzyme catalyzing condensation reactions between new nucleotides in the synthesis of a new DNA strand
Enzyme
A protein molecule acting as a biological catalyst, increasing the rate of biochemical reactions
Glycogen 
A highly branched polysaccharide made of alpha glucose monomers, serving as the main energy storage in humans and animals
Glycosidic bond
A bond between two monosaccharides formed in a condensation reaction
Heat capacity 
The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by a specific amount
Hydrolysis
Breaking a chemical bond between two molecules involving the use of a water molecule
Induced-fit model
A model of enzyme action describing how enzymes undergo subtle conformational changes to better fit the substrate
Iodine test 
A biochemical test for the presence of starch
Lactose
A disaccharide formed by condensation of glucose and galactose molecules.
Latent heat
The amount of energy needed for a substance to change state
Lipid emulsion test
A biochemical test producing a cloudy emulsion when performed on lipids
Maltose
A disaccharide formed by condensation of two glucose molecules
Metabolite 
A molecule formed or used in metabolic reactions
Monomers
The smaller units from which larger molecules are made
Monosaccharide
The individual sugar monomers from which larger carbohydrates are made
Phospholipid 
A lipid formed by the condensation of glycerol, fatty acid, and a phosphate group
Polymers 
Molecules made from a large number of monomers joined together
Polypeptide
Molecules formed by the condensation of many amino acids
Polysaccharide
Molecules formed by the condensation of many monosaccharides
Primary structure
The individual sequence of amino acids in a protein
Quaternary structure
A structure applicable to proteins with multiple polypeptide chains, describing the interactions of the different chains
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) 
A relatively short molecule made up of ribonucleotide monomers joined by phosphodiester bonds
Secondary structure 
The local interactions of the amino acids in the polypeptide chain
Semi conservative replication
The production of two daughter DNA molecules from one DNA molecule, each containing one original and one newly synthesized strand
Solvent 
A substance in which other solutes are dissolved
Starch 
A polysaccharide made of alpha glucose monomers, serving as the main energy storage in plants
Sucrose
A disaccharide formed by condensation of glucose and fructose molecules
Tertiary structure 
The way that the whole protein folds to make a three-dimensional structure
Triglyceride
A lipid formed by the condensation of glycerol and three fatty acid molecules