Chapter 3 : Proteins and Nucleic Acids

why are proteins important?

moost abundant and important organic molecule

what elements make up proteins?

carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen

what are the 7 functions of protein?

support (structure)

movement (contractile)

transport (carrier)

buffer (regulate pH)

metabolic regulation (enzymes)

coordination and control (hormones)

defense (antibodies)

what are the 3 important characteristics of enzymes?

specificity

saturation limits

regulation

what is specificity of enzymes?

specific reaction needs specific enzymes; enzymes only have one job

what are saturation limits of enzymes?

enzymes become saturated because they are not infinite

need more enzymes to continue reaction

what is regulation of enzymes?

continue or stop reactions by attaching chemical

what are proteins sensitive to?

temperature and pH change

what is denaturation?

protein loses its shape and function due to temperature or pH change

why is it important to keep body temperature around 90 degrees?

if temperature fluctuates, proteins lose its function

what are nucleic acids?

stores and processes information through DNA and RNA

what are the monomers of nucleic acids?

nucleotides / nitrogenous bases

what is the second function of nucleic acids?

forming high energy compounds through phosphorylation

what is phosphorylation?

process of adding phosphate group to molecule

what are the types of high energy compounds?

AMP

ADP

ATP

what is adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase)?

enzyme that attaches phosphate to create ATP from ADP