Proteins and Amino Acids

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to proteins and amino acids, providing essential definitions for study and review.

Amino Acids

The building blocks of proteins, composed of an amine group, carboxylic acid, and a variable 'R' group.

Zwitterionic

A form of amino acids at neutral pH where they carry both a positive and a negative charge.

Hydrophobic Amino Acids

Amino acids that do not interact well with water, typically containing nonpolar side chains.

Hydrophilic Amino Acids

Amino acids that interact well with water, typically containing polar or charged side chains.

Disulfide Bonds

Covalent bonds that form between the sulfhydryl groups (-SH) of cysteine residues, stabilizing protein structure.

Macromolecule Polymerization

The process of connecting monomers (e.g., amino acids) to form polymers (e.g., proteins) through dehydration synthesis.

Peptide Bond

A covalent bond formed between two amino acids during the dehydration synthesis process.

Primary Structure

The specific sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Secondary Structure

Regions of folding or coiling within a polypeptide chain, such as alpha helices and beta sheets, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a polypeptide chain, determined by interactions among R groups.

Quaternary Structure

The arrangement and interaction of multiple polypeptide chains to form a single functional protein.

Protein Denaturation

The process by which proteins lose their structured form due to external factors such as heat or pH changes.