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Microbiology Study Guide Basics

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Terms in this set (14)

  • Are viruses considered living organisms?
    Viruses are generally not considered living organisms because they cannot reproduce or carry out metabolism without a host cell.
  • What are lipids?
    Lipids are fats and fat-like molecules important for energy storage and cell membrane structure.
  • What is the fatty acid tail in a lipid?
    The fatty acid tail is the hydrophobic (water-repelling) part of a lipid molecule.
  • Define phospholipid.
    A phospholipid is a lipid with a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and hydrophobic tails, essential for membrane formation.
  • What is a bilayer in cell membranes?
    A bilayer consists of two layers of phospholipids forming the basic structure of cell membranes.
  • What are triglycerides used for?
    Triglycerides serve as long-term energy storage molecules in organisms.
  • What role do phospholipids play in cells?
    Phospholipids form the structural basis of cell membranes, creating a barrier between inside and outside the cell.
  • What is the primary function of carbohydrates in the body?
    Carbohydrates are the body's major quick-energy nutrient.
  • What is a sugar in terms of carbohydrates?
    A sugar is a simple carbohydrate used as an energy source.
  • Define monosaccharide.
    A monosaccharide is a carbohydrate made of a single sugar unit.
  • What is a disaccharide?
    A disaccharide is a carbohydrate composed of two sugar units linked together.
  • What is a polysaccharide?
    A polysaccharide is a carbohydrate made of many sugar units linked in a chain.
  • What is glucose used for in cells?
    Glucose is a monosaccharide used by cells as a primary energy source.
  • What is glycogen?
    Glycogen is the stored form of glucose in animals, used for energy reserves.