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Lipids
Fats, oils, and waxes; used for long-term energy storage, insulation, and cell membranes.
Large molecules that do most of the work in cells (help with structure, enzymes, movement, and communication).
Protein
Sugars and starches; main source of quick energy for the body.
Carbohydrates
Enzyme
A protein that speeds up chemical reactions in the body.
DNA and RNA; molecules that store and share genetic information.
Nucleic Acids
Products
The ending materials made after the reaction.
Monomer
A single, small building block (like one Lego piece).
A chain of many sugar molecules linked together (example: starch, glycogen, cellulose).
Polysaccharide
Monosaccharide
A single sugar molecule (example: glucose, fructose).
A storage polysaccharide in plants (how plants store energy).
A suffix at the end of many enzyme names (ex: lactase, amylase). It usually tells you what the enzyme works on.
"-ase"
Fatty Acid
One of the building blocks of lipids (long hydrocarbon chains).
Nucleotide
The monomer of nucleic acids; made of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogen base.
The molecule the enzyme works on.
Substrate
The monomer of nucleic acids; made of a sugar, a phosphate, and a nitrogen base.
Nucleotide
Conditions that affect how well an enzyme works. Too high/low = enzyme slows down or stops.
Temperature/pH
Idea that an enzyme (the “lock”) fits with one specific substrate (the “key”).
Lock and Key Model
Something that speeds up a chemical reaction without being used up. (Enzymes are biological catalysts.)
Catalyst
The spot on the enzyme where the substrate fits.
Active Site
A big chain made of many monomers linked together (like a Lego tower).
Polymer
When an enzyme loses its shape (and active site) so it no longer works.
Denatured
The temporary “combo” formed when the enzyme and substrate are joined together.
Enzyme-Substrate Complex
Optimum
The “just right” condition (temperature/pH) where an enzyme works best.
Amino Acid
The monomer (building block) of proteins.
Activation Energy
The energy needed to start a reaction. (Enzymes lower this energy.)