Bio retake

Nucleic Acid

A polymer made up of nucleotides, specialized for the storage, transmission, and expression of genetic information.

Nucleotide

The basic chemical unit in nucleic acids, consisting of a pentose sugar, a phosphate group, and a nitrogen-containing base

Phosphodiester linkage

The connection in a nucleic acid strand, formed by linking two nucleotides

Purine

One of the two types of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids. Adenine and Guanine, each pair with a pyrimidine

Pyrimidine

One of the two types of nitrogenous bases in nucleic acids. Cytosine, Thymine, and Uracil each pair with a specific purine

Complementary Base Pairing

AT, AU, TA, UA, CG, and GC pairing of bases in double-stranded DNA, in transcription, and between tRNA and mRNA

Amino Acid

An organic compound containing both NH2 and COOH groups.

R Group

The distinguishing group of atoms of a particular amino acid (side chain)

Peptide Linkage (bond)

The bond between amino acids in a protein; formed between a carboxyl group and amino group with the loss of water molecules

Primary Structure

The specific sequence of amino acids in a protein

Secondary Structure

Of a protein, localized regularities of structure, such as the alpha helix and the beta pleated sheet

Alpha Helix

A prevalent type of secondary protein structure; a right-handed spiral

Beta Pleated Sheet

A type of protein secondary structure; results from hydrogen bonding between polypeptide regions running antiparallel to each other

Tertiary Structure

In reference to a protein, the relative locations in three-dimensional space of all the atoms in the molecule. The overall shape of a protein

Denaturation

Loss of activity of an enzyme or nucleic acid molecule as a result of structural changes induced by heat or other means

Quaternary Structure

The specific three-dimensional arrangement of protein subunits

Catalyst

A chemical substance that accelerates a reaction without itself being consumed in the overall course of the reaction. Lower the activation energy of a reaction, such as enzymes.

Activation Energy

The energy barrier that blocks the tendency for a chemical reaction to occur

Substrate

The molecule or molecules on which an enzyme exerts catalytic action

Active Site

The region on the surface of an enzyme or ribozyme where the substrate binds, and where catalysis occurs

Allosteric Regulation

Regulation of the activity of a protein, usually an enzyme, by the binding of an effector molecule to a site other than the active site

Competitive Inhibition

A nonsubstrate that binds to the active site of an enzyme and thereby inhibits binding of its substrate

Enzyme

A catalytic protein that speeds up a biochemical reaction

Induced Fit

A change in the shape of an enzyme caused by binding to its substrate that exposes the active site of the enzyme

Noncompetitive Inhibition

A nonsubstrate that inhibits the activity of an enzyme by binding to a site other than its active site

Hydroxyl Group

O-H; polar

Carbonyl Group

O=C; Polar

Carboxyl Group

O=C-OH; Polar; Acid

Amino Group

H-N-H; Polar; Base

Sylfiydryl Group

S-H; Non-polar; Stabilitizes the structure of proteins

Phosphat Group

O-P=O OH OH; Polar

Methyl Group

CH3; Non-polar

Hydrophobic

Water hating

Hydrophilic

Water loving

monomer

a molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to form a polymer.

polymer

a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely of a large number of similar units bonded together

macromolecule

a molecule containing a very large number of atoms, such as a protein, nucleic acid, or synthetic polymer.

Carbohydrate

any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch, and cellulose. They contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2:1) and typically can be broken down to release energy in the animal body.

Amino acid

a simple organic compound containing both a carboxyl (—COOH) and an amino (—NH2) group.

Dehydration Synthesis

The monomers combine with each other via covalent bonds to form larger molecules known as polymers. In doing so, monomers release water molecules as byproducts.

Hydrolysis

the chemical breakdown of a compound due to reaction with water.

What are sugars used for in the body?

Energy, Cellulose (cell walls)

Lipids

Long hydrocarbon chains, Cell membrane

Proteins

peptide bond, made with amino acid

How are enzymes denatured