Biochemistry

Redox

(A reaction where one substance loses electrons and another gains them. An example is hydrogen and fluorine forming a bond.)

(Chemical reactions (transformation of one molecule to another) within living things.)

Hydrolysis

(A reaction where water is used to "cleave", the opposite of dehydration synthesis; the cutting of a disaccharide, for example.)

Dehydration synthesis (condensation)

(A reaction where water is lost, and therefore other bonds are exposed, like in the formation of a disaccharide.)

Cellular respiration

(Glucose being broken down to produce ATP (energy).)

Substrate

(A compound which an enzyme acts on to catalyze a reaction.)

Active site

(The locations where a substrate binds on an enzyme.)

Coenzyme

(An organic molecule that helps enzymes carry out reactions.)

(A biological protein catalyst which reduces the activation energy required for a reaction to occur.)

Allosteric regulation

(Where a molecule bonds to an enzyme in a place other than the active site, it changes enzyme activity.)

Activation energy

(The minimum amount of energy needed for a reaction to occur.)

Denature

(When a molecule is altered, which can result in a loss of functions.)

(A molecule that inhibits the productivity of an enzyme.)

Non-competitive inhibitor

(Reduces enzyme activity by bonding someplace other than the active site; see allosteric regulation.)

Competitive inhibitor

(Competes with the substrate to bind with enzymes, reducing the ability for enzymes to turn the substrate into product.)

Phospholipid bilayer

(Phospholipids are made up of a glycerol, 2 fatty acids and a phosphate group. The phosphate group is attracted to water and the fatty acids are not. This makes it ideal for forming the phospholipid bilayer which is a semi-permeable membrane.)

Cholesterol

(Steroid that exists between phospholipid molecules. It makes membranes fluid in a wide range of temperatures, reinforces membranes and makes them less permeable.)

Glycolipid

(Sugar chain on the outside of the membrane. Maintains stability, directs cell to cell interaction and acts as a receptor for viruses.)

Amphipathic

(Polar and non-polar.)

Semi-permeable

(Can control traffic in and out of the cell with the aid of proteins and due to the polarity.)

(Phospholipid bilayer which is semi-permeable, allowing for certain molecules to enter and exit the cell.)

Glycolipids

(Sugar chain on the outside of the membrane. Maintains stability, directs cell to cell interaction and acts as a receptor for viruses.)

Phospholipids

(Phospholipids are made up of a glycerol, 2 fatty acids and a phosphate group. The phosphate group is attracted to water and the fatty acids are not. This makes it ideal for forming the phospholipid bilayer which is a semi-permeable membrane.)

Cholesterol

(Steroid that exists between phospholipid molecules. It makes membranes fluid in a wide range of temperatures, reinforces membranes and makes them less permeable.)

(Lipids which affect the structure of the membrane.)

Channel protein

(Forms a passageway into the membrane.)

Carrier protein

(Facilitates transport of certain molecules.)

Glycoprotein

(Found on the outside of the cell membrane and they are attached to carbohydrates. Functions to determine if a cell is familiar or foreign and supports cell-cell adhesion.)

Receptor protein

(Functions as enzymes, transport, receptors, gateway to extracellular matrix and markers while connected to the cell membrane. It can protrude through both sides in some cases.)

Protein pump

(A protein which actively transports against the concentration gradient using ATP; see sodium potassium pump, an application of this)

Passive transport

Simple diffusion

(Same system as facilitated diffusion but without the requirement of proteins)

Facilitated diffusion

(Passive transportation from a higher to a lower gradient, that uses proteins)

Active transport

Sodium potassium pump

(Another system of mechanical transport that exchanges potassium for sodium, against the gradient)

Glucose pump

(A mechanical transportation system that allows glucose to travel against the gradient)

(Transport across the membrane (possible due to the membrane being semi-permeable).)

DNA

(Copy of genetic information, composed of nucleotides.)

Nucleotides

(The building blocks of nucleic acids.)

Isomers

(Chemicals with the same formula but different structures.)

RNA

(A more temporary version of DNA.)

(Long organic molecules formed by nucleotides.)

Galactose

(Beta glucose. Bonded with alpha glucose to form lactose.)

Fructose

(Bonded with alpha glucose to form sucrose.)

Glucose

(Alpha glucose. Bonded another copy of itself it forms maltose, when bonded with beta glucose it forms lactose and when bonded with fructose it forms sucrose.)

(Simple sugars that taste very sweet. All sugars have a ring structure and all simple sugars are isomers with the formula C6H12O6. Due to their hydroxyl functional groups they are all polar. They are used as energy and in the formation of more complex macromolecules.)

(Sugars, mainly used as an energy source but also used as structural materials.)

Lactose

(A beta and alpha glucose bonded together.)

Sucrose

(Formed by an alpha glucose and fructose bonded together.)

Maltose

(Formed by 2 alpha glucose bonded together.)

(Formed by combining 2 simple sugars. Less sweet than simple sugars. Used in the formation of more complex structures known as polysaccharides, otherwise used as energy.)

Starch

(Long spiral chains, functions as short term energy in plants and animals. The shape is ideal for this function because of its simplicity.)

Cellulose

(Strong fence-like structure, ideal for the formation and support of plant cell walls.)

Glycogen

(Very compact structure, functions as long term energy in animals. The shape is ideal for its function due to its complexity.)

(Chains of sugar which are not sweet.)

(Large organic molecules made by smaller, repeating molecules/atoms.)

Glycerol

(When bonded with fatty acids it forms triglycerides and phospholipids.)

Phospholipids

(Made up of a glycerol a phosphate group and 2 fatty acids. They make up the majority of cell membrane due to their polar and non-polar ends (it is amphipathic). The phosphate group is attracted to water and the fatty acids are not. This makes it ideal for forming the phospholipid bilayer.)

Triglycerides

(Made up of a glycerol and 3 fatty acids. Used for energy storage and insulation.)

Unsaturated fatty acids

(Saturated fatty acids, but with a double bond and therefore a kink.)

(Term used to define non-polar molecules, including fats.)

Saturated fatty acids

(A source of energy made out of long hydrocarbon chains.)

Amino acids

(The building blocks of proteins.)

Polypeptides

(A chain of amino acids.)

(Composed of amino acids, used for cell framework, infection fighting, messengers, transportation of materials, cell markers, catalyst and movement.)

(Study of chemistry in living things.)

Ionic bonding

(Metal giving its electrons to a non-metal.)

Hydrogen bonding

(Partially negative ends of water attract to partially positive ends of water forming an attraction. This is technically not a bond but still known as hydrogen bonding.)

(Chemical bond between 2 or more atoms to form molecules.)

(Building blocks of living things, containing C-C and/or C-H bonds.)

Polar covalent molecules

(Do not share electrons evenly (O and N hold on tighter than C and H). Dissolves well in water/hydrophilic.)

Non-polar covalent molecules

(Share electrons evenly, do not dissolve well in water/hydrophobic.)

(Two non-metals sharing electrons.)

Glucose

(Alpha glucose. Bonded another copy of itself it forms maltose, when bonded with beta glucose it forms lactose and when bonded with fructose it forms sucrose.)

Fructose

(Bonded with alpha glucose to form sucrose.)

Galactose

(Beta glucose. Bonded with alpha glucose to form lactose.)

(The study of matter.)

Hydrophobic

(Repulsion from water.)

Hydrophillic

(Attraction to water.)

(2 or more atoms bonded together.)

Hydroxyl

(An O and H single bonded together (polar). Used to form chains by hydrogen bonding.)

Sulfhydryl

(An S and H single bonded together (slightly polar). Links amino acids in protein folding.)

Carbonyl

(An O double bonded to a C (polar). If carbon is also bonded to an H then it is aldehyde, if not, it is ketone. Used as energy in heart and kidneys and is a reducing agent.)

Carboxyl

An O double bonded to a C which is double bonded to an OH (polar). Component in proteins and fatty acids.)

Amine

(An N single bonded to 2 H (polar). Part of amino acids.)

(Groups of atoms with a predictable chemical behaviour.)

Methyl

(A C single bonded to 3 H (non-polar). Controls gene expression and is very stable unless the carbon is bonded to a 4th H, then it becomes combustible. Only considered a functional group if it's a part of a side chain.)

Phosphate

(A P single bonded to an O and 2 OH, it's also double bonded to an O (polar). Energy storage, structural part of cell membrane and protein activation in DNA.)