Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry — 60 Terms Defined

Saturated Fat Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A fat whose fatty acid chains contain only single carbon–carbon bonds.

Secondary Structure Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless Local regular folding patterns of a polypeptide backbone stabilised by hydrogen bonds.

Starch Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The storage polysaccharide of plants, consisting of amylose and amylopectin. (C₆H₁₀O₅)ₙ

Steroid Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A lipid built on a characteristic framework of three six-membered rings fused to one five-membered ring. C₁₇ tetracyclic core

Tertiary Structure Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The complete three-dimensional folded shape of a single polypeptide chain.

Thermoplastic Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry °C A polymer that softens on heating and hardens again on cooling, reversibly and repeatedly.

Thermosetting Polymer Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry °C A polymer that sets permanently on first heating and cannot be softened again.

Triglyceride Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless An ester formed from glycerol and three fatty acid molecules, the main constituent of fats and oils. glycerol + 3 RCOOH

Unsaturated Fat Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A fat containing one or more carbon–carbon double bonds in its fatty acid chains.

Vitamin Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry mg An organic compound required in small amounts that an organism cannot synthesise for itself.

Vulcanisation Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless The treatment of natural rubber with sulfur to form cross-links that greatly improve its properties.

Zwitterion Biochemistry & Polymer Chemistry Dimensionless A molecule carrying both a positive and a negative charge but no net overall charge. ⁺H₃N–CHR–COO⁻