Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Lecture Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering amino acid properties, protein structure, enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins), molecular biology, and endocrinology based on lecture transcript notes.

Isoleucine side chain

A structure that contains a branched hydrocarbon chain.

Phenylalanine side chain

A structure characterized by the presence of an aromatic ring.

Methionine side chain

A structure that contains a sulfomethyl group.

Primary structure of a protein

The linear sequence of amino acids joined by peptide bonds, stabilized by covalent bonds between the $\alpha$-amino and $\alpha$-carboxyl groups.

Salting-out

A method for protein isolation that depends on the concentration of salts to influence the degree of hydration of the protein.

Michaelis-Menten constant ($K_m$)

The substrate concentration at which the rate of the enzymatic reaction is half maximal.

Allosteric regulation

A mechanism of enzyme inhibition or activation where an effector binds to a site other than the active site, such as the excess of $CTP$ inhibiting pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis.

Gluconeogenesis

The metabolic pathway for the synthesis of glucose from organic non-carbohydrate compounds.

Glycogenolysis

The process of glycogen breakdown, stimulated by glucagon in the liver or epinephrine in the muscles.

Pentose phosphate pathway

A metabolic pathway whose main functions include generating $NADPH \times H^+$ in the cytosol and supplying ribose-5-phosphate for tissues.

Mitchell's chemiosmotic theory

A theory postulates that an electrochemical potential generated during electron transport across the inner mitochondrial membrane is the driving force of $ADP$ phosphorylation.

Triacylglycerols

Neutral fats consisting of residues of trihydric alcohol glycerol and three fatty acids, which are completely insoluble in water due to a lack of polar groups.

Ketone bodies

A group of compounds including acetoacetate, $\beta$-hydroxybutyrate, and acetone, synthesized from acetyl-CoA in the liver during fasting or diabetes.

Arachidonic acid

A 20-carbon unsaturated fatty acid that serves as the precursor for eicosanoid synthesis, including prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

Indicator enzymes

Enzymes whose increased activity in blood plasma indicates the release from damaged cells, pointing to pathology in internal organs.

Indirect Bilirubin

Unconjugated bilirubin produced in macrophages that is poorly soluble in water and must be transported in the blood bound to albumin.

Okazaki fragments

Segments of DNA synthesized on the lagging strand during the process of replication.

7-TMS receptors

Receptors containing seven transmembrane segments that utilize G-proteins and second messengers like $cAMP$ for signal transduction.

Hageman factor

Factor XII; a serine protease of the blood coagulation system activated by contact with surfaces different from normal endothelium.

Tenase complex

A coagulation complex consisting of factor VIIIa, factor IXa, and $Ca^{2+}$.

Ceruloplasmin

A plasma protein that serves as the transport form of copper ions and acts as a ferroxidase.

Kwashiorkor

A form of malnutrition developing due to a deficiency of proteins in the diet, often characterized by hypoalbuminemia, edema, and fatty liver.

Diabetes insipidus

A condition caused by the deficiency of vasopressin or its V2 receptor, leading to impaired water reabsorption.

Isohyposthenuria

A clinical term referring to urine with a constantly low density.

Splicing

A stage of post-transcriptional $mRNA$ processing where non-coding regions are removed and coding regions are joined.