Biomolecules

Front

Biomolecules Noun

---

[by-oh-mol-uh-kyools]

Back

Biomolecules

---

The large organic molecules, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, that are essential for life and make up living organisms.

---

Example: This diagram shows how a large biomolecule, a starch (polysaccharide), is broken down through digestion into its smaller building blocks, glucose molecules (monosaccharides).

Front

Monomer Noun

---

[mon-uh-mer]

Back

Monomer

---

A small individual molecule that can be chemically bonded to other identical molecules to form a larger molecule called a polymer.

---

Example: This image shows a nucleotide, which is a monomer (a single building block). It is made of three parts: a phosphate, a sugar, and a base.

Front

Polymer Noun

---

[pol-i-mer]

Back

Polymer

---

A large molecule composed of many repeating smaller subunits, known as monomers, that are chemically bonded together in a chain.

---

Example: This diagram shows how small molecules called monomers (amino acids) link together in a chain to form a large polymer molecule (a protein).

Front

Carbohydrate Noun

---

[kar-boh-hy-dreyt]

Back

Carbohydrate

---

A major class of biomolecules composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, serving as a primary source of quick energy for cells.

---

Example: This image shows common food sources of carbohydrates, such as bread, rice, pasta, and sugar, which are a major source of energy for the body.

Front

Monosaccharide Noun

---

[mon-oh-sak-uh-rahyd]

Back

Monosaccharide

---

The simplest form of carbohydrate, also known as a simple sugar, that serves as the monomer for more complex carbohydrates.

---

Example: This image shows the ball-and-stick model of glucose, a classic example of a monosaccharide, or simple sugar, made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms.

Front

Polysaccharide Noun

---

[pol-ee-sak-uh-rahyd]

Back

Polysaccharide

---

A complex carbohydrate polymer formed from long chains of monosaccharide units, used for energy storage or structural support.

---

Example: This diagram shows that a polysaccharide, like starch, is a large molecule made by linking many smaller sugar units, called glucose molecules, together in a chain.

Front

Lipid Noun

---

[lip-id]

Back

Lipid

---

A diverse group of biomolecules, including fats and oils, used for long-term energy storage, insulation, and forming cell membranes.

---

Example: This diagram shows how lipids (phospholipids) form a bilayer, highlighting the hydrophilic (water-loving) head and hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail, the fundamental structure of cell membranes.

Front

Glycerol Noun

---

[glis-er-ol]

Back

Glycerol

---

A simple polyol compound that combines with fatty acids to form the structural backbone of lipids like triglycerides.

---

Example: This image shows the ball-and-stick model of a glycerol molecule, highlighting its three-carbon backbone and the arrangement of hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

Front

Fatty Acid Noun

---

[fat-ee as-id]

Back

Fatty Acid

---

A carboxylic acid with a long aliphatic chain which, along with glycerol, is a fundamental building block of most lipids.

---

Example: This diagram shows a fatty acid molecule, which has a long chain of carbon and hydrogen atoms and a special 'carboxyl group' at one end.

Front

Protein Noun

---

[proh-teen]

Back

Protein

---

A complex biomolecule made of amino acids, essential for structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.

---

Example: This diagram shows that proteins are large molecules made by linking smaller units, called amino acids, together into a chain that then folds.