Bio chemistry Key Terms and Concepts

A type of metabolism where complex chemical compounds are built from simpler ones put together. 

Happens in all living things

A type of metabolism where large chemical compounds are broken down into smaller units.

Happens in all living things

• When a chemical has a pH of ~7
• neutralization produces salt and water as a byproduct 
• There is an equal number fo Hydroxide ions and hydrogen ions

• When a chemical has a pH <7
• There are more hydrogen ions than hydroxide ions

• When a chemical has a pH >7
• There are more hydroxide ions that hydrogen ions

• Molecules that do not have carbon 
• e.g./ water; vitamins & minerals

• Molecules that contain carbon 
• e.g./ carbohydrates, proteins, lipids(fats)

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

A single molecule/building block that can react with other monomers.

• Mono = one 
• mer = piece

Multiple monomers bonded together to create a larger chemical compound (e.g./ carbs, proteins) 

• Poly = many
• mer= piece

Sugar molecules 

Made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (1:2:1) 

Main energy source for living things 

When carbs are accumulated, they are stored in the body as fat

A type of carbohydrate made of only 1 sugar 

a monomer 

e.g./ glucose, fructose, galactose

A type of carbohydrate made of 2 sugar molecules 

a dimer/polymer

A type of carbohydrate made of many sugar units which form rings 

rings make it more efficient to store a lot of sugars (sugar=energy source)

Chemicals that have the same chemical formula but different arrangements of molecules 

e.g./ glucose and fructose (both C₆H₁₂O₆ but different chemicals)

Two monosaccharides are put together by removing water

The bond between two monosaccharides are broken by adding water to the disaccharide.

Plants store carbs as starches.

Plants use carbs for structural support in the form of cellulose.