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Concepts
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Description
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| Amino
Acids |
The building blocks of proteins
Definition
of Amino Acid: "an amphoteric organic acid containing
the amino group NH2; esp.: any of the alpha-amino acids that
are the chief components of proteins and are synthesized by
living cells or are obtained as essential components of the
diet" |
| Sugars |
The building blocks of larger carbohydrates
and amino sugars.
Glucose is the most common monosaccharide in biology. Other
common monosaccharides include galactose, mannose, and fructose.
Carbohydrates are used as stored sources of energy and are
involved in biological structure. |
| Nucleotides |
DNA and RNA are made from monomers called nucleotides,
consisting of a pentose (ribose or deoxyribose), a phosphate
group, and a nitrogenous pyrimidine or purine base. |
| Fatty
acids |
The common fatty acids of plant tissues are
C16 and C18 straight-chain compounds with zero to three double
bonds. For more, scroll down the UK
web site (the fatty acids are near the bottom of the page),
and see NetBiochem.
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Large Molecules
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Concepts
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Description
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| Proteins |
Definition
of Protein: "any of a group of complex organic compounds
which contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and usually
sulfur, the characteristic element being nitrogen, and which
are widely distributed in plants and animals. Proteins, the
principal constituents of the protoplasm of all cells, are
of high molecular weight and consist essentially of combinations
of amino acids in peptide linkages" |
| Polysaccharides
(large carbohydrates) |
Definition
of Carbohydrate: "any of various neutral compounds of
carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (as sugars, starches, and celluloses)
most of which are formed by green plants and which constitute
a major class of animal foods" |
| Nucleic
Acids |
Definition
of Nucleic Acid: a high-molecular-weight nucleotide polymer.
There are two types: deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic
acid (RNA). For more see the Arizona
Site. |
| Lipids |
Lipids or fats are characterized
by their insolubility in water and solubility in organic solvents
or detergents. Lipids are the most efficient energy storage
molecules in cells.
Triglycerides, used for energy storage in adipose (fat) tissue,
are composed of a glycerol molecule condensed with three fatty
acids. |
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DEPARTMENT
OF BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, 185
South Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103-2714.
Phone: 973-972-4750.
FAX: 973-972-5594. For information, contact Dr. Kumar:
kumarsu@umdnj.edu
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