exam 1

Electronegativity

Measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond.

Covalent bond

Chemical bond formed when two atoms share electrons.

Polar molecule

Molecule with uneven electron sharing, creating partial charges.

Nonpolar molecule

Molecule with equal electron sharing, no partial charges.

Hydrophobic

Water-fearing

Hydrophilic

Water-loving

Hydrogen bond

Weak attraction between a hydrogen atom and NOF

Potential energy

Stored energy based on position

What are the 5 core concepts?

Info flow, structure function, energy transformation, evolution, systems

DNA

Double-stranded molecule storing genetic info.

mRNA

Copy of DNA that carries genetic code to ribosomes.

Protein

Chain of amino acids performing cell functions.

Allele

Form of a gene

Genome

Complete set of an organism’s DNA.

Metabolic pathway

Series of enzyme-driven reactions in a cell.

Nucleotide

Building block of DNA/RNA (sugar + phosphate + base)

5’ vs. 3’

Ends of nucleic acids; 5' has phosphate, 3' has hydroxyl.

Ribose vs. deoxyribose

RNA sugar vs. DNA sugar (ribose has one more oxygen)

Phosphate group

Negatively charged group linking nucleotides.

Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine, Adenine

Nitrogen bases in DNA.

Guanine, Cytosine, Adenine, Uracil

Nitrogen bases in RNA.

ATP

Energy-carrying molecule used in cells.

Affinity

Chance of interaction between molecules

Template vs. non-template strand

DNA strand copied vs. unused strand in transcription.

Upstream

Before gene

Downstream

After gene

RNA polymerase

Enzyme that synthesizes RNA from DNA.

Sigma

Protein that helps RNA polymerase find the promoter.

Promoter

DNA region where transcription begins.

R-group

Side chain that gives each amino acid unique properties.

Amino acids

Building block of proteins.

Primary structure

Amino acid sequence.

Secondary structure

Local folding (α-helix, β-pleaded sheet)

Tertiary structure

Overall 3D shape of a protein.

Quaternary structure

Interaction of multiple protein subunits.

Substrate

Molecule an enzyme acts on.

Enzyme

Protein that speeds up chemical reactions.

Transition state

High-energy intermediate during a reaction.

Activation energy

Energy needed to start a reaction.

Active site

Region on enzyme where substrate binds.

Competitive inhibition

Inhibitor competes with substrate for active site.

Allosteric regulation

Molecule binds elsewhere to change enzyme activity.

Kinase

Enzyme that adds phosphate groups.

Phosphorylation

Addition of a phosphate group to a molecule.

cAMP

Signaling molecule made from ATP.

Coupled reaction

Energy from one reaction drives another.