Carbon Chemistry and Living Systems

Science

alcohol

a compound that contains the hydroxyl (-OH) group

alcohol Simple Definition

amino acid

a compound that is the building block of proteins

amino acid Simple Definition

carbohydrate

an energy-rich organic molecule of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, like sugar or starches

carbohydrate Simple Definition

carboxyl group

a -COOH group, found in organic acids

carboxyl group Simple Definition

hydrocarbon

a molecule that contains only hydrogen and carbon

hydrocarbon Simple Definition

hydroxyl group

the -OH group, found in alcohols

hydroxyl group Simple Definition

isomer

compounds with the same chemical formula but different physical structures

isomer Simple Definition

lipid

an energy-rich organic compound such as a fat or oil

lipid Simple Definition

monomer

a small molecule that makes up a polymer chain

monomer Simple Definition

nucleic acid

a molecule made of nucelotides that contain genetic material, like DNA and RNA

nucleic acid Simple Definition

organic compound

compounds that contain carbon and hydrogen atoms

organic compound Simple Definition

polymer

a large molecule formed from a chain of small monomers

polymer Simple Definition

protein

an organic compound that is made of amino acids

protein Simple Definition

saturated hydrocarbon

a hydrocarbon that contains only single bonds, like propane

saturated hydrocarbon Simple Definition

substituted hydrocarbon

a hydrocarbon with one or more hydrogen atoms replaced by other atoms

substituted hydrocarbon Simple Definition

unsaturated hydrocarbon

a hydrocarbon with one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms

unsaturated hydrocarbon Simple Definition

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