Biomolecules Vocabulary

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Activation energy

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The minimum quantity of energy that the reacting species must possess in order to undergo a specified reaction.

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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

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A complex organic chemical that provides energy to drive many processes in living cells.

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Amino acid

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Organic compounds that combine to form proteins and are used by organisms to perform various functions.

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Biomolecule

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Any molecule that is present in living organisms, including large macromolecules such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids.

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Carbohydrate

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Biomolecules consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, usually with a hydrogen–oxygen atom ratio of 2:1.

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Catalyst

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A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change.

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Enzymes

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Proteins that act as biological catalysts to accelerate chemical reactions.

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Enzyme-substrate complex

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A temporary molecule formed when an enzyme comes into perfect contact with its substrate.

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Fatty acids

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Carboxylic acids with long aliphatic chains, which can be either saturated or unsaturated.

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Glucose

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A simple sugar with the molecular formula C6H12O6, which is an important energy source in living organisms.