Basic List of Biochemistry Terms and Definitions
Biomolecules
● Amino acid – Organic compounds containing an amino group, carboxyl group, and a
unique side chain; they are the building blocks of proteins.
● Peptide – A short chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
● Protein – A large, folded polymer of amino acids that performs structural, catalytic, or
regulatory roles in cells.
● Enzyme – A protein that acts as a biological catalyst, speeding up chemical reactions
without being consumed.
● Nucleotide – The building block of nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), consisting of a sugar,
phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.
● DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) – A double-stranded nucleic acid that stores genetic
information.
● RNA (Ribonucleic acid) – A single-stranded nucleic acid involved in protein synthesis
and gene regulation.
● Carbohydrate – Organic molecules made of sugar units; they provide energy and
structural support (e.g., glucose, starch).
● Lipid – Hydrophobic or amphipathic molecules like fats, oils, phospholipids, and
steroids; important for energy storage and membranes.
Chemical Foundations
● Covalent bond – A chemical bond where atoms share electrons.
● Hydrogen bond – A weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and an electronegative
atom (like oxygen or nitrogen); important in stabilizing DNA and protein structures.
● Ionic bond – An electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.
● Functional group – A specific group of atoms within a molecule that determines its
characteristic chemical reactions (e.g., hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl).
● Hydrophobic – Describes molecules that repel water or do not mix well with it.
● Hydrophilic – Describes molecules that are attracted to and dissolve well in water.
● pH – A scale that measures how acidic or basic a solution is, based on hydrogen ion
concentration.
● Buffer – A substance that helps maintain a stable pH in a solution by neutralizing added
acids or bases.
Metabolism and Energy
● Metabolism – The total set of life-sustaining chemical reactions in organisms, including
both energy-releasing and energy-consuming processes.
● Catabolism – Metabolic processes that break down complex molecules into simpler
ones, releasing energy.
● Anabolism – Metabolic processes that build complex molecules from simpler ones,
requiring energy.
● ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) – The main energy currency of the cell, used to drive
biochemical reactions.
● Active site – The region on an enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction
takes place.
● Substrate – The specific molecule that an enzyme acts upon.
● Cofactor – A non-protein molecule or ion (often a metal) that is required for an enzyme's
activity.
● Coenzyme – An organic cofactor (often derived from vitamins) that assists enzymes in
catalyzing reactions.
Bioinorganic Elements
● Metal ion – Charged metal atoms like Mg²⁺, Fe²⁺, or Zn²⁺ that are essential for enzyme
activity and structural stability.
● Hemoglobin – An iron-containing protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting
oxygen.
● Fe-S cluster (Iron-sulfur cluster) – Metal centers in proteins that play roles in electron
transfer and redox reactions.
● Chelation – The binding of a metal ion by a larger organic molecule, often stabilizing or
activating it in biological systems.
