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5.4: Key Terms

  • Page ID
    134842
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    biological macromolecule
    large molecule necessary for life that is built from smaller organic molecules
    carbohydrate
    biological macromolecule in which the ratio of carbon to hydrogen and to oxygen is 1:2:1; carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural support in cells and form arthropods' cellular exoskeleton
    cellulose
    polysaccharide that comprises the plants' cell wall; provides structural support to the cell
    chitin
    type of carbohydrate that forms the outer skeleton of all arthropods that include crustaceans and insects; it also forms fungi cell walls
    dehydration synthesis
    (also, condensation) reaction that links monomer molecules, releasing a water molecule for each bond formed
    disaccharide
    two sugar monomers that a glycosidic bond links
    glycogen
    storage carbohydrate in animals
    glycosidic bond
    bond formed by a dehydration reaction between two monosaccharides with eliminating a water molecule
    hormone
    chemical signaling molecule, usually protein or steroid, secreted by endocrine cells that act to control or regulate specific physiological processes
    hydrolysis
    reaction that causes breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules by utilizing water
    lipid
    macromolecule that is nonpolar and insoluble in water
    monomer
    smallest unit of larger molecules that are polymers
    monosaccharide
    single unit or monomer of carbohydrates
    omega fat
    type of polyunsaturated fat that the body requires; numbering the carbon omega starts from the methyl end or the end that is farthest from the carboxylic end
    phospholipid
    membranes' major constituent; comprised of two fatty acids and a phosphate-containing group attached to a glycerol backbone
    polymer
    chain of monomer residues that covalent bonds link; polymerization is the process of polymer formation from monomers by condensation
    polysaccharide
    long chain of monosaccharides; may be branched or unbranched
    saturated fatty acid
    long-chain hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds in the carbon chain; the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon skeleton is maximized
    starch
    storage carbohydrate in plants
    steroid
    type of lipid comprised of four fused hydrocarbon rings forming a planar structure
    trans fat
    fat formed artificially by hydrogenating oils, leading to a different arrangement of double bond(s) than those in naturally occurring lipids
    triglyceride
    fat molecule; consists of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule
    unsaturated fatty acid
    long-chain hydrocarbon that has one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain
    wax
    lipid comprised of a long-chain fatty acid that is esterified to a long-chain alcohol; serves as a protective coating on some feathers, aquatic mammal fur, and leaves

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