Macromolecules: Proteins and Nucleic Acids

Vocabulary flashcards covering protein structures, amino acid components, nucleic acids, and related biological macromolecules based on the lecture transcript.

Amino Acids

The monomers of proteins, each consisting of an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable R or functional group attached to a central carbon.

Alpha Carbon

The central carbon atom in an amino acid to which the amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen, and variable R group are attached.

Peptide Bond

A specific bond formed via dehydration synthesis between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of a second amino acid.

Primary Structure

The first level of protein conformation, defined as the sequence of amino acids linked together like beads on a string.

Secondary Structure

The protein structure level formed when the primary sequence twists upon itself into an alpha helix or folds into a beta pleated sheet.

Alpha Helix

A type of secondary protein structure created when the primary sequence of amino acids twists upon itself.

Beta Pleated Sheet

A type of secondary protein structure formed when the amino acid chain is pleated and folded like an accordion.

Tertiary Structure

The three-dimensional shape of a protein created by folding its secondary structure upon itself.

Quaternary Structure

A level of protein conformation formed by the combination of two or more tertiary structure chains together.

Conjugated Proteins

Proteins that are attached to other non-protein functional groups, conferring additional biological properties.

Lipoprotein

A conjugated protein attached to a lipid that helps transport hydrophobic lipids in the water-based blood.

Nucleotides

The monomers of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar, and a nitrogenous base.

Pentose Sugar

A five-carbon sugar component of a nucleotide, which can be either ribose or deoxyribose.

Ribose

The pentose sugar found in RNA that contains a hydroxyl group ($\text{-OH}$) at the $2'$ carbon.

Deoxyribose

The pentose sugar found in DNA that lacks an oxygen atom at the $2'$ carbon, containing a hydrogen atom instead.

Uracil

A nitrogenous base found exclusively in RNA, replacing thymine.

Thymine

A nitrogenous base found exclusively in DNA, replacing uracil.

Messenger RNA (mRNA)

A type of RNA that carries the genetic message from DNA to help translate it into a protein.

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

An RNA nucleotide that serves as the energy currency of the cell.

Cyclic AMP

An RNA-related molecule that acts as an important second messenger in cellular signaling cascades.