1. Biochemistry Vocabulary
Unit 3

2. 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].

3. 2. Atom- The smallest unit of an element.

4. 3. Element-Basic building block of physical matter
3. Element-Basic building block of physical matter. Cannot be broken down into a simpler structure. .

5. 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.

6. 5. Protein- Organic compound used for growth and repair and includes the enzyme group. Contain carbon(C), hydrogen(H), oxygen(O) and nitrogen(N).

7. 6. Polymer- A substance made of “many parts.”

8. 7. Organic Compound - Grouping of elements that always include carbon. Essential to life’s cellular processes.

9. 8. Compound- A chemical substance composed of two or more atoms of elements.

10. 9. Carbohydrate- Organic compound that is the
quickest energy source for life. Contains carbon(C),
hydrogen(H) and oxygen(O) [sugars and starches].

11. 10. Molecule- The smallest unit of a compound.

12. 11. Enzyme- A type of protein that breaks
compounds down and speeds up reactions.

13. 12. Hemoglobin- Protein in red blood cells containing
iron; is responsible for circulating oxygen in the blood stream.

14. 13. Substrate - The molecule to which an enzyme
binds and acts upon (puzzle pieces).

15. 14. Insulin- Protein hormone released by the
pancreas in response to blood glucose levels.

16. 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.

17. 16. Amino Acid- Monomer of a protein, includes a
variable side chain which makes each one unique.

18. 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.

19. 18. Nucleotide- Monomer of a nucleic acid,
composed of a 5-Carbon sugar, phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.

20. 19. Activation Energy- The necessary energy to start
19. Activation Energy- The necessary energy to start a chemical reaction.

21. 20. Cellulose- Rigid carbohydrate that is found in
the cell wall of plant cells.