supermolecule

Definitions of supermolecule

1. noun

   any very large complex molecule; found only in plants and animals
   synonyms: macromolecule

   types:

   protein

   any of a large group of nitrogenous organic compounds that are essential constituents of living cells; consist of polymers of amino acids; essential in the diet of animals for growth and for repair of tissues; can be obtained from meat and eggs and milk and legumes

   carbohydrate, saccharide, sugar

   an essential structural component of living cells and source of energy for animals; includes simple sugars with small molecules as well as macromolecular substances; are classified according to the number of monosaccharide groups they contain

   lipid, lipide, lipoid

   an oily organic compound insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents; essential structural component of living cells (along with proteins and carbohydrates)

   nucleic acid

   (biochemistry) any of various macromolecules composed of nucleotide chains that are vital constituents of all living cells

   capsid

   the outer covering of protein surrounding the nucleic acid of a virus

   gluten

   a protein substance that remains when starch is removed from cereal grains; gives cohesiveness to dough

   ribose

   a pentose sugar important as a component of ribonucleic acid

   recombinant protein

   a protein derived from recombinant DNA

   actomyosin

   a protein complex in muscle fibers; composed of myosin and actin; shortens when stimulated and causes muscle contractions

   aleurone

   granular protein in outermost layer of endosperm of many seeds or cereal grains

   amyloid

   (pathology) a waxy translucent complex protein resembling starch that results from degeneration of tissue

   apoenzyme

   a protein that combines with a coenzyme to form an active enzyme

   compound protein, conjugated protein

   a protein complex combining amino acids with other substances

   enzyme

   any of several complex proteins that are produced by cells and act as catalysts in specific biochemical reactions

   fibrin

   a white insoluble fibrous protein formed by the action of thrombin on fibrinogen when blood clots; it forms a network that traps red cells and platelets

   filaggrin

   the main protein of the keratohyalin granules

   growth factor

   a protein that is involved in cell differentiation and growth

   haptoglobin

   a protein in plasma that binds free hemoglobin and removes it (as from wounds)

   iodinated protein, iodoprotein

   a protein that contains iodine

   nucleoprotein

   any of several substances found in the nuclei of all living cells; consists of a protein bound to a nucleic acid

   opsin

   retinal protein formed by the action of light on rhodopsin

   phosphoprotein

   containing chemically bound phosphoric acid

   plasma protein

   any of the proteins in blood plasma

   PSA, prostate specific antigen

   a protein manufactured exclusively by the prostate gland; PSA is produced for the ejaculate where it liquifies the semen and allows sperm cells to swim freely; elevated levels of PSA in blood serum are associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer

   proteome

   the full complement of proteins produced by a particular genome

   simple protein

   a protein that yields only amino acids when hydrolyzed

   beet sugar

   sugar made from sugar beets

   cane sugar

   sucrose obtained from sugar cane

   cytokine

   any of various protein molecules secreted by cells of the immune system that serve to regulate the immune system

   deoxyribose

   a sugar that is a constituent of nucleic acids

   fat

   a soft greasy substance occurring in organic tissue and consisting of a mixture of lipids (mostly triglycerides)

   ferritin

   a protein containing 20% iron that is found in the intestines and liver and spleen; it is one of the chief forms in which iron is stored in the body

   triglyceride

   glyceride occurring naturally in animal and vegetable tissues; it consists of three individual fatty acids bound together in a single large molecule; an important energy source forming much of the fat stored by the body

   invert sugar

   a mixture of equal parts of glucose and fructose resulting from the hydrolysis of sucrose; found naturally in fruits; sweeter than glucose

   maple sugar

   sugar made from the sap of the sugar maple tree

   monosaccharide, monosaccharose, simple sugar

   a sugar (like glucose or fructose) that does not hydrolyse to give other sugars; the simplest group of carbohydrates

   oil

   a slippery or viscous liquid or liquefiable substance not miscible with water

   oligosaccharide

   any of the carbohydrates that yield only a few monosaccharide molecules on complete hydrolysis

   phospholipid

   any of various compounds composed of fatty acids and phosphoric acid and a nitrogenous base; an important constituent of membranes

   polyose, polysaccharide

   any of a class of carbohydrates whose molecules contain chains of monosaccharide molecules

   antibody

   any of a large variety of proteins normally present in the body or produced in response to an antigen which it neutralizes, thus producing an immune response

   jaggary, jaggery, jagghery

   unrefined brown sugar made from palm sap

   wax

   any of various substances of either mineral origin or plant or animal origin; they are solid at normal temperatures and insoluble in water

   wood sugar, xylose

   a sugar extracted from wood or straw; used in foods for diabetics

   type of:

   molecule

   (physics and chemistry) the simplest structural unit of an element or compound

   organic compound

   any compound of carbon and another element or a radical