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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
