COLLEGE PHYSICS Chapter 3: Proteins and Nucleic Acids

A set of vocabulary flashcards related to proteins and nucleic acids, covering key terms and their definitions.

Protein

A biologically functional molecule consisting of one or more polypeptides that perform various functions in the body.

Polypeptide

An unbranched polymer constructed from a specific sequence of amino acids.

Amino Acid

The basic building block of proteins, consisting of a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R-group).

Enzyme

A type of protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions.

Denaturation

The process in which a protein loses its native shape and biological activity due to changes in pH, temperature, or other environmental factors.

Quaternary Structure

The level of protein structure arising from the association of two or more polypeptide chains.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Nucleic Acid

Biomacromolecules essential for the storage and transmission of genetic information, comprising DNA and RNA.

Phosphodiester Bond

The covalent bond that links nucleotides in a nucleic acid, formed between the hydroxyl group of one nucleotide and the phosphate group of another.

Chaperonin

A protein that assists in the proper folding of other proteins.