BIOCHEMISTRY VOCABULARY

UNIT 2

1. Lipid- Organic compound used for long term energy storage and makes up cell membranes. Contains carbon and hydrogen (fat, oil, wax).

2. Atom- The smallest unit of an element.

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

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.

5. Protein- Organic compound used for growth

and repair and includes the enzyme group. Contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.

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

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

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

9. Carbohydrate- Organic compound that is the quickest energy source for life. Contains

carbon, hydrogen and oxygen (sugars and

starches).

10. Molecule- The smallest unit of a compound.

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

up reactions.

12. Hemoglobin- Protein in red blood cells containing

iron; is responsible for circulating oxygen in the blood stream.

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

14. Insulin- Protein hormone released by the

pancreas in response to blood glucose levels.

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.

16. Amino Acid- Monomer of a protein, includes a

variable side chain which makes each one unique.

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.

18. Nucleotide- Monomer of a nucleic acid,

composed of a 5-Carbon sugar, phosphate group and a nitrogenous base.

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

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