Biochemistry Vocabulary

deoxyribonucleic acid DNA The genetic material of all organisms.

adenine Nitrogen base found in DNA Pairs with Thymine

thymine Nitrogen base found in DNA Pairs with Adenine

guanine Nitrogen base found in DNA Pairs with cytosine

cytosine Nitrogen base found in DNA Pairs with guanine

nitrogen bases Organic compound that makes up the “rungs” or “steps” of the DNA ladder.

protein Organic compound that is made up of amino acids that is used by the body for growth.

mixture Combination of substances in which the substances do not change. Can be solids, liquids, gasses, or any combination.

organic compound Compounds that always contain hydrogen and carbon Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

enzyme A type of protein that regulates nearly all chemical reactions in a cell.

inorganic compound Compound that is made from elements other than carbon Water, calcium phosphate, hydrochloric acid

passive transport Movement of substances through a cell membrane without using energy Diffusion, osmosis, facilitated diffusion

active transport Process in which transport proteins bind with particles and move them through a cell membrane. Uses cell energy

diffusion A type of passive transport in which molecules move from areas where there are more of them to areas where there are fewer of them.

endocytosis Process by which a cell takes in a substance by surrounding it with the cell membrane.

exocytosis Process by which vesicles release their contents outside the cell.

equilibrium Occurs when molecules of one substance spread evenly throughout another substance.

osmosis A type of passive transport that occurs when water diffuses through a cell membrane.

metabolism The total of all chemical reactions in an organism.

respiration Series of chemical reactions used to release energy stored in food molecules

photosynthesis Food making process by which plants and many other producers use light energy to produce glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water.

fermentation Process by which oxygen-lacking cells and some one-celled organisms release small amounts of energy from glucose molecules and produce wastes such as alcohol, carbon dioxide, and lactic acid.