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General Biology: Organic Molecules and Macromolecules - KEY DEFINTIONS

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  • What is an organic compound?
    Molecules containing carbon atoms bonded to other elements, typically hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen. Examples include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.
  • Define hydrocarbon.
    Organic molecules consisting entirely of carbon and hydrogen, forming the backbone of many organic compounds.
  • What is an isomer?
    Molecules with the same chemical formula but different structural arrangements, resulting in different properties.
  • What is a functional group?
    Specific groups of atoms within molecules that determine chemical reactivity and properties. Examples: hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), amino (-NH2), phosphate (-PO4).
  • Explain polymer and monomer.
    A polymer is a large molecule made of repeating units called monomers. For example, starch (polymer) is made of glucose (monomer).
  • What is a dehydration reaction?
    A chemical reaction that joins monomers by removing a molecule of water.
  • What is a hydrolysis reaction?
    A reaction that breaks polymers into monomers by adding water.
  • What are carbohydrates?
    Organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, often in a 1:2:1 ratio. Includes sugars and starches.
  • Define monosaccharide.
    Simple sugar monomers, such as glucose and fructose.
  • What is a disaccharide?
    Two monosaccharides joined together, e.g., sucrose (glucose + fructose).
  • What are polysaccharides?
    Long chains of monosaccharides. Examples include starch, glycogen, and cellulose.
  • What is starch?
    Storage polysaccharide in plants, made of glucose monomers.
  • What is glycogen?
    Storage polysaccharide in animals, made of glucose monomers.
  • What is cellulose?
    Structural polysaccharide in plant cell walls, made of glucose monomers.
  • What are lipids?
    Hydrophobic organic molecules, including fats, phospholipids, and steroids.
  • Define fat (triglyceride).
    Lipid made from glycerol and three fatty acids.
  • What is an unsaturated fat?
    Fatty acids with one or more double bonds, causing kinks; usually liquid at room temperature.
  • What is a saturated fat?
    Fatty acids with no double bonds; usually solid at room temperature.
  • What are steroids?
    Lipids with four fused carbon rings; examples include cholesterol and hormones.
  • What is a phospholipid?
    Lipid with a phosphate group; major component of cell membranes.
  • What are proteins?
    Polymers of amino acids that perform many functions in cells.
  • What are amino acids?
    Monomers of proteins; contain an amino group, carboxyl group, and side chain (R group).
  • What is denaturation?
    Loss of protein structure due to environmental changes, causing loss of function.
  • What are peptide bonds?
    Covalent bonds joining amino acids in proteins.
  • Name the four levels of protein structure.
    Primary (amino acid sequence), secondary (folding patterns), tertiary (3D folding), quaternary (assembly of multiple polypeptides).
  • What are nucleic acids?
    DNA and RNA; polymers of nucleotides that store and transmit genetic information.
  • What are nucleotides?
    Monomers of nucleic acids; consist of a sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.