Basic Chemistry Terms

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atom

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The basic unit of matter.

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compound

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Substance formed by the chemical combinations of two or more elements in definite proportions.

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covalent bond

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Type of bond between atoms in which the electrons are shared.

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ionic bond

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Chemical bond formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another.

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monomer

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Small chemical unit that makes up a polymer or macromolecule.

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polymer

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Molecules composed of many monomers; also called macromolecules.

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carbohydrate

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Compound made up of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms; type of nutrient that is the major source of energy for living things.

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lipid

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Macromolecule made mostly from carbon and hydrogen atoms; makes up most of the cell membrane; includes fats, oils, and waxes.

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nucleic acid

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Macromolecule that contains hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and phosphorus; stores genetic information.

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protein

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Macromolecule that contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms; needed by the body for growth and repair.