Amino Acid

The building blocks of proteins. There are 20 standard amino acids used to create the proteins found in living organisms.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

The primary energy-carrying molecule in cells. Often referred to as the "energy currency" of life.

Active Site

The specific region of an enzyme where a substrate binds and a chemical reaction occurs.

Biochemistry

The study of the chemical processes and molecules that sustain life.

Biomolecule

Any molecule produced by living organisms, including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.

Carbohydrate

A biological molecule made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen that serves as a major source of energy.

Catalyst

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

Cell Signalling

The process by which cells communicate with one another using chemical messengers.

CRISPR

A gene-editing technology that allows scientists to make precise changes to DNA sequences.

Denaturation

The disruption of a protein's three-dimensional structure, often caused by changes in temperature or pH.

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)

The molecule that stores genetic information in almost all living organisms.

Enzyme

A biological catalyst, usually a protein, that speeds up biochemical reactions.

Gene

A section of DNA that contains instructions for producing a specific protein or functional RNA molecule.

Gene Expression

The process by which information stored in DNA is used to produce proteins.

Genome

The complete set of genetic material present in an organism.

Glycolysis

The first stage of cellular respiration, where glucose is broken down to release energy.

Homeostasis

The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite changes in external conditions.

Hormone

A chemical messenger produced by glands and transported through the bloodstream to target cells.

Lipid

A group of hydrophobic molecules including fats, oils and phospholipids.

Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions occurring within a living organism.

Metabolic Pathway

A series of enzyme-controlled reactions that convert one molecule into another.

Mitochondrion

An organelle responsible for producing ATP through aerobic respiration.

Mutation

A change in the DNA sequence of an organism.

Nucleotide

The basic building block of DNA and RNA, consisting of a sugar, phosphate group and nitrogenous base.

pH

A measure of how acidic or alkaline a solution is.

Peptide Bond

A covalent bond that joins amino acids together in a protein.

Protein

A large biological molecule composed of amino acids that performs structural, catalytic and regulatory functions.

Protein Folding

The process by which a protein adopts its functional three-dimensional structure.

Respiration

The biochemical process through which cells release energy from glucose.

Ribosome

A cellular structure responsible for protein synthesis.

RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)

A molecule involved in carrying genetic information and producing proteins.

Saturated Fat

A lipid containing only single carbon-carbon bonds.

Stem Cell

An undifferentiated cell capable of developing into specialised cell types.

Substrate

The molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Transcription

The process of producing RNA from a DNA template.

Translation

The process by which ribosomes use mRNA to synthesise proteins.

Unsaturated Fat

A lipid containing one or more carbon-carbon double bonds.

Vaccine

A biological preparation that stimulates the immune system to provide protection against disease.

X-Ray Crystallography

A technique used to determine the three-dimensional structure of molecules such as proteins and DNA.

Zwitterion

A molecule that contains both positive and negative charges but is overall electrically neutral, such as amino acids at certain pH values.