Biochemistry Vocabulary Unit 3
1. Lipid. - Organic compound used for long term energy 1. Lipid - Organic compound used for long term energy storage and makes up cell membranes. Contains carbon(C) and hydrogen(H) [fat, oil, wax].
2. Atom- The smallest unit of an element.
3. Element-Basic building block of physical matter 3. Element-Basic building block of physical matter. Cannot be broken down into a simpler structure. .
4. pH Scale- The scale that is used to identify acids and bases (ranges from 0-14), acids are below 7, bases are above 7, neutral is equal to 7.
5. Protein- Organic compound used for growth and repair and includes the enzyme group. Contain carbon(C), hydrogen(H), oxygen(O) and nitrogen(N).
6. Polymer- A substance made of “many parts.”
7. Organic Compound - Grouping of elements that always include carbon. Essential to life’s cellular processes.
8. Compound- A chemical substance composed of two or more atoms of elements.
9. Carbohydrate- Organic compound that is the quickest energy source for life. Contains carbon(C), hydrogen(H) and oxygen(O) [sugars and starches].
10. Molecule- The smallest unit of a compound.
11. Enzyme- A type of protein that breaks compounds down and speeds up reactions.
12. Hemoglobin- Protein in red blood cells containing iron; is responsible for circulating oxygen in the blood stream.
13. Substrate - The molecule to which an enzyme binds and acts upon (puzzle pieces).
14. Insulin- Protein hormone released by the pancreas in response to blood glucose levels.
15. Nucleic Acid- Organic compounds also known 15. Nucleic Acid- Organic compounds also known as DNA and RNA that code for all genetic information essential for life. Contains hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon and phosphorus.
16. Amino Acid- Monomer of a protein, includes a variable side chain which makes each one unique.
17. Active Site- Site on an enzyme that binds to the substrate and triggers a chemical reaction, also determines the type of substrate to be acted upon.
18. Nucleotide- Monomer of a nucleic acid, composed of a 5-Carbon sugar, phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.
19. Activation Energy- The necessary energy to start 19. Activation Energy- The necessary energy to start a chemical reaction.
20. Cellulose- Rigid carbohydrate that is found in the cell wall of plant cells.