Chapter 2.3 - Organic Compounds

macromolecule

"giant molecule;" large molecules that are formed by joining smaller organic molecules together

nitrogenous bases

A (adenine), T (thymine), C (cytosine), and G (guanine) in DNA; U (uracil) replaces T in RNA

polysaccharide

a complex molecule composed of three or more monosaccharides

polymer

a large molecule consisting of many repeating chemical units or molecules linked together.

monomer

a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer.

a nucleotide

a phosphate, a 5-carbon sugar, and a nitrogenous base

an amino acid

an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and the distinguishing R group

functions of nucleic acids

carry genetic information from one generation to the next

organic compound

compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen

functions of proteins

control chemical reactions; form bones and muscles; cell transport; fight disease

DNA, RNA

examples of nucleic acids

lipids

fats, oils, and waxes; a fatty substance that does not dissolve in water

function of carbohydrates

main source of short term energy

fatty acids & glycerol

monomers, or building blocks of lipids

nucleotides

monomers, or building blocks of nucleic acids

amino acids

monomers, or building blocks of proteins

20

number of different amino acids found in nature

proteins

polymers of amino acids; large and complex; can be a hormone or enzyme

nucleic acids

polymers of nucleotides; store and transmit genetic information

1:2:1

ratio of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Oxygen in carbohydrates

monosaccharide

single sugar molecule

carbohydrates

starches and sugars found in foods, which provide your body's main source of energy

function of lipids

storage of long term energy source

organic chemistry

study of all carbon containing molecules