Biochemistry Vocabulary Flashcards

Study Notes

Carbohydrate

Composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Includes monosaccharides (e.g., glucose) and disaccharides (e.g., sucrose).
Commonly referred to as sugars.

Protein

Organic compounds containing nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
Highly diverse and essential for biological functions.
Considered central to life processes.

Lipid

Organic molecules that are insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar solvents.
Characterized by being hydrophobic and lipophilic due to large non-polar regions.

Nucleic Acid

Composed of one or two long chains of nucleotides, each made of a nitrogen base linked to a sugar phosphate.
The two primary types are DNA and RNA; vital for genetic information storage.

Organic Molecule

Typically found in living organisms and built from carbon atoms arranged in rings or chains.
Other elements, such as hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, are commonly attached.

Inorganic Molecule

Generally simple molecules not normally associated with living organisms.
Not all carbon-containing substances are organic; for example, diamonds are classified as inorganic.

Dehydration Synthesis

A process where monomers join to form polymers, releasing water molecules as byproducts.
Named for its mechanism of “putting together while losing water.”

Hydrolysis

The chemical process where compounds break down through a reaction with water.

Enzymes

Biological substances that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions.
Essential for accelerating specific chemical processes in living organisms.

Description

Test your knowledge of key biochemistry vocabulary with these flashcards. Learn important terms like carbohydrates and proteins, which are fundamental to understanding biological processes. Each card provides a definition to help reinforce your learning.