Download Biochemistry Vocab Key

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Chemistry of Life Vocab
Term
Definition
Example
Atom
Smallest basic unit of matter.
Element
One particular type of atom.
Hydrogen, oxygen, carbon
Molecule
Two or more atoms held together by
covalent bonds.
Substance made of atoms of different elements
bonded together in a certain ratio.
An atom that has gained or lost an
electron.
O2 and H2O
Compound
Ion
Ionic Bond
Covalent Bond
Hydrogen bond
Polar
Nonpolar
Cohesion
Adhesion
Solution
Solvent
Solute
Acid
Base / Alkaline
pH
Monomer
Forms between positively charged ion and a
negatively charged ion.
Atoms share pairs of electrons.
The positive charge from the hydrogen atom of
one water molecule can attract a negative
charge from another molecule.
Two atoms form a molecule using a covalent
bond. having partial positive and partial
negative charges
Molecule which has no separation of charge, so
no positive or negative poles are formed.
The attraction of molecules of the same
substance.
The attraction among molecules of
different substances.
Mixture of substances that is equally
mixed throughout.
Substance that there is more of, and that
dissolves the other substances.
The substance that dissolves in the solvent.
A compound that releases a hydrogen ion. An
acid increases the concentration of H+ ions in a
solution.
Removes H+ ions from a solution. After a
base dissolves in water, the solution has a
low H+ concentration.
Measurement of acidity; related to the
concentration of free hydrogen ions in a
solution.
One subunit of a molecule.
H2O
Na+ and ClOne is positive and one is
negative
NaCl, sodium chloride or
table salt
Holds oxygen and
hydrogen together in a
water molecule.
Occur between water
molecules.
Water
Oil
Water forms beads or
droplets
Water travels from roots
to leaves in plant
Kool-Aid
Water
Sugar
Lemon juice
Bleach
Scale 1-14
Glucose
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Polymer
Molecule that contains many monomers
bonded together.
Starch
Carbohydrates
Made of CHO, main source of energy;
includes sugars and starches.
Sugars and Starches
(pasta)
Lipids
Nonpolar molecule made up of CHO; includes
fats and oils. Long term energy storage.
Hydrocarbon chain often bonded to glycerol
in a lipid.
Polymer made of monomers called amino acids.
Contain CHONS, building blocks of
proteins (monomers).
Fats
Polymer made up of monomers called
nucleotides.
Monomer made up of a sugar, phosphate,
and nitrogenous base.
Change substances into different
substances by breaking and forming
chemical bonds.
Substances that are changed during a
chemical reaction.
DNA, RNA
Fatty Acids
Protein
Amino Acids
Nucleic Acids
Nucleotide
Chemical Reaction
Reactants
Products
Substances made by a chemical reaction.
Bond Energy
The amount of energy needed to break a
bond between two atoms.
When reactants and products are made at the
same rate.
Equilibrium
Butter
Meat, beans, nuts
Meat, beans, nuts
A, T, G, C, and U
Activation Energy
The amount of energy that needs to be
absorbed for a chemical reaction to start.
See graph below.
Endothermic
Chemical reaction that absorbs more energy
than it releases.
Chemical reaction that releases more energy
than it absorbs.
Substance that decreases the activation
energy needed to start a chemical reaction.
Increase rates of reactions.
Catalysts for chemical
reactions. Speed up
processes.
Reactant in a chemical reaction in which
an enzyme acts.
Photosynthesis
Exothermic
Catalyst
Enzymes
Substrate
Cellular Respiration
Enzyme
Amylase
Reactant
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