Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry — 60 Terms Defined

Glucose Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry g/mol The most abundant monosaccharide and the primary energy source for most living cells. C₆H₁₂O₆

Glycogen Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The storage polysaccharide of animals, a highly branched polymer of glucose. (C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Glycolysis Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry kJ/mol The ten-step metabolic pathway that converts one molecule of glucose into two of pyruvate. C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₃H₄O₃ + 2ATP + 2NADH

Glycosidic Bond Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The covalent linkage joining a sugar unit to another molecule through an oxygen bridge. C–O–C

Hormone Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry mol/L A chemical messenger released by one tissue that regulates the activity of cells elsewhere in the body.

Induced Fit Model Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The model in which the active site changes shape on substrate binding to achieve a closer fit.

Isoelectric Point Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The pH at which a molecule carries no net electrical charge. pI = (pKa₁ + pKa₂)/2

Lipid Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A biomolecule that is largely non-polar and therefore insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents.

Lock and Key Model Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The model proposing that the substrate fits a rigid, precisely shaped active site as a key fits a lock.

Metabolism Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry kJ/day The complete set of chemical reactions occurring within a living organism.

Monomer Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry g/mol The small molecule that repeats to form a polymer.

Monosaccharide Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The simplest carbohydrate, which cannot be hydrolysed into smaller sugar units. (CH₂O)ₙ

Nucleic Acid Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A biopolymer of nucleotides that stores and transmits genetic information.

Nucleotide Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar and a phosphate group.

Peptide Bond Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The amide linkage joining the carboxyl group of one amino acid to the amino group of the next. –CO–NH–

Phospholipid Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A lipid in which one fatty acid of a triglyceride is replaced by a phosphate-containing group.

Photosynthesis Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry kJ/mol The process by which plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrate and oxygen. 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Polymer Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry g/mol A large molecule built from many repeating structural units joined by covalent bonds. –(A)ₙ–

Polysaccharide Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A carbohydrate polymer built from many monosaccharide units linked by glycosidic bonds. (C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Primary Structure Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Protein Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry g/mol A large biomolecule made of one or more chains of amino acids folded into a specific three-dimensional shape.

Quaternary Structure Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The arrangement of two or more folded polypeptide chains into a functional protein complex.

Reducing Sugar Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A sugar with a free aldehyde or ketone group that can reduce mild oxidising agents.

RNA Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A generally single-stranded nucleic acid that carries out the expression of genetic information.