VCE Biology U3 AoS1

The Role of Nucleic Acids and Proteins

Nucleic Acid

A class of biomacromolecules that includes DNA and RNA. Store and pass on genetic information.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid. The molecule that carries the genetic information for the development and function of an organism.

RNA (+ three types)

Ribonucleic acid. Single stranded. Intermediate step when converting DNA into proteins. messengerRNA - carries a copy of genetic code from DNA in the nucleus to ribosomes. ribosomalRNA - make up 60% of ribosome structure. transferRNA - carries amino acid from the cell cytoplasm to the ribosome and pairs with the complementary code in the mRNA.

Purines

Double ring structure. Adenine and Guanine

Pyrimidine

Single ring structure. Thymine, cytosine and uracil.

Gene

A section of DNA that codes for a specific protein

Proteome

The collection of all proteins produced by an organism.

Nucleotide (definition + draw one)

The monomers that make up nucleic acids. Consists of a sugar molecule attached to a phosphate group and nitrogen-containing base.

Proteins

Biomacromolecules made of polypeptides (long chains of amino acids) essential for the structure, function and regulation of cells and tissue.

Amino acid

Biomacromolecules which are the monomer of protein.

Phosphate

An inorganic compound. PO_4^3-

Pentose sugar

A monosaccharide (simple sugar) with 5 carbon atoms. eg: deoxy/ribose

Ribose

A pentose sugar. Forms the backbone of RNA and ATP.

Deoxyribose

A pentose sugar with one less oxygen than ribose. Backbone of DNA.

Nitrogenous base

An organic molecule containing nitrogen, forming a key part of a nucleotide.

Phosphodiester bond

The strong covalent bond between the 5’ phosphate group of a nucleotide and the 3’ hydroxy group of another.

Polymer

A macromolecule made from many monomers linked together by chemical bonds.

Monomer

A small simple molecule that acts as a building block of a polymer by chemically bonding to other monomers.

Polymerisation

The process of monomers chemically bonding together to form polymers

Peptide bond

The strong covalent bond linking two amino acids. Formed via condensation reaction.

Dipeptide

A molecule formed when two amino acids join together via a peptide bond.

Amino acid residue

An individual amino acid unit within a polypeptide (minus the H and OH due to condensation reaction)

Polypeptide

A long chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. The fundamental structure for proteins.

Primary structure of a protein

A chain of amino acids

Secondary structure of a protein

Folding of the polypeptide due to H bonds. Three types of folding: alpha-helices, beta-pleated sheets, random coil.

Tertiary structure of a protein

3D folding pattern due to side chain interactions. Minimal level to be a functional protein.

Quaternary structure of a protein

Protein consisting of multiple polypeptides

Proteome

Collection of all proteins produced by an individual.