Biological Molecules - Def

• 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