Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry — 60 Terms Defined

Addition Polymerisation Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless Polymerisation in which unsaturated monomers add to one another with no loss of any atoms. n CH₂=CH₂ → –(CH₂–CH₂)ₙ–

Adenosine Triphosphate Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry kJ/mol The nucleotide that acts as the universal energy currency of living cells. ATP + H₂O → ADP + Pᵢ

Amino Acid Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless An organic compound containing both an amino group and a carboxyl group attached to the same carbon. H₂N–CHR–COOH

Base Pairing Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The specific hydrogen bonding between complementary nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids. A–T (2 H-bonds), G–C (3 H-bonds)

Biochemistry Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The study of the chemical substances and processes that occur within living organisms.

Biodegradable Polymer Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A polymer that can be broken down into simple substances by the action of microorganisms.

Biomolecule Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless An organic molecule produced by and essential to a living organism.

Carbohydrate Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A biomolecule composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, usually with hydrogen and oxygen in the ratio found in water. Cₓ(H₂O)_y

Cellular Respiration Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry kJ/mol The oxidation of nutrients within cells to release energy as ATP. C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O

Cellulose Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The structural polysaccharide of plant cell walls, a linear polymer of beta-linked glucose. (C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Coenzyme Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A small organic molecule that binds temporarily to an enzyme and is essential for its catalytic activity.

Cofactor Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A non-protein chemical component required for an enzyme to function.

Condensation Polymerisation Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless Polymerisation in which monomers join with the elimination of a small molecule, usually water. n A + n B → –(AB)ₙ– + n H₂O

Copolymer Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A polymer made from two or more different monomers.

Cross-Linking Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The formation of covalent bonds between separate polymer chains.

Degree of Polymerisation Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The number of monomer units in an average polymer chain. DP = M_polymer / M_monomer

Denaturation Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The loss of a protein's native three-dimensional structure without breaking its peptide bonds.

Disaccharide Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A carbohydrate formed when two monosaccharide units join through a glycosidic bond. C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁

DNA Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The double-stranded nucleic acid that carries the hereditary information of almost all living organisms.

Double Helix Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry nm The structure of DNA, in which two antiparallel polynucleotide strands wind around a common axis. 10.5 base pairs per turn

Enzyme Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A biological catalyst, almost always a protein, that accelerates a specific biochemical reaction.

Enzyme Specificity Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The ability of an enzyme to select one substrate, or one class of substrate, and catalyse one particular reaction.

Fatty Acid Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry g/mol A long-chain carboxylic acid, usually with an even number of carbon atoms. CH₃(CH₂)ₙCOOH

Genetic Code Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The set of rules by which sequences of three bases in nucleic acid specify particular amino acids. 64 codons → 20 amino acids