Biomolecules Vocabulary

synthesis– production

monomer– a single molecule that tends to stay bonded as a unit and can combine with other molecules

polymer– a large or macromolecule made up of 2 or more monomers

protein– polymers made up of amino acids that perform a wide variety of cellular functions such as those concerning structure and enzymes

protein synthesis– production of proteins from amino acids in the cytoplasm of the cell.

amino acid– one of 20 subunits (monomers) from which proteins (polymers) are assembled.

ribosome– a small, 2 part organelle found in the cytoplasm of cells responsible for the production of proteins

rough endoplasmic reticulum– network of membranous tubules covered with ribosomes located in the cytoplasm of a cell; involved in the production of phospholipids, proteins, and other functions

Golgi apparatus (body/complex)- organelles in animal cells composed of a series of flattened sacs that sort, chemically modify, and package proteins produced on the rough endoplasmic reticulum

enzyme– protein molecules that act as catalysts in biochemical reactions

substrate– the material or substance on which an enzyme acts

nucleic acid– polymers composed of nucleotides; ex. DNA and RNA

nucleotide– the subunits of nucleic acids; composed of a phosphate, a sugar, and a nitrogen-containing base

nucleus– the control center of the cell; houses chromosomes and regulates all cell function

DNA – deoxyribonucleic acid; an extremely long macromolecule that is the main component of chromosomes and is the material that transfers genetic characteristics in all life forms

RNA– nucleic acid containing ribose sugar and the base uracil

replication– process by which DNA is duplicated prior to cell division

transcription– the synthesis of RNA from a DNA template; the making of mRNA from one strand of the original DNA molecule.

lipid–class of organic macromolecules that function in the long-term storage of biochemical energy, insulation, structure and control

saturated fats– a fat, most often of animal origin, that is solid at room temperature and whose fatty acid chains cannot incorporate additional hydrogen atoms

unsaturated fats– a fat derived from plant and some animal sources, especially fish, that is liquid at room temperature and can form additional hydrogen bonds

smooth endoplasmic reticulum– network of membranous tubules in the cytoplasm of a cell; involved in the production of phospholipids, proteins, and other functions

phospholipid– asymmetrical lipid molecules building blocks of cellular membranes that have a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail

carbohydrate– organic molecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen that serve as energy sources and structural materials for cells of all organisms

starch– a naturally abundant nutrient carbohydrate, (C6H10O5)n, found chiefly in the seeds, fruits, tubers, roots, and stem pith of plants

sugar– any of a class of water-soluble crystalline carbohydrates, including sucrose and lactose, having a characteristically sweet taste and classified as monosaccharides, disaccharides, and trisaccharides

photosynthesis– the process by which solar energy is converted into usable chemical energy, associated with the actions of chlorophyll within cells

chloroplast– disk-like organelles with a double membrane found in eukaryotic plant cells that are the site of photosynthesis

monosaccharide– a single unit sugar molecule

disaccharide– any of a class of sugars, including lactose and sucrose, that are composed of two monosaccharides

polysaccharide– any of a class of carbohydrates, such as starch and cellulose, consisting of a number of monosaccharides joined by glycosidic bonds