Artificial Cell Technology, Weak Molecular Interactions, and Biological Macromolecules

Vocabulary flashcards covering topics from Lecture 4, including artificial cell drug screening technology, weak non-covalent interactions, zwitterions, water properties, macromolecular structures, and the central dogma.

Artificial Cell (AI-Based Model)

A computer-based artificial intelligence model trained on breast cancer cell protein responses to various chemicals, drugs, and hormones to predict tumor responses to untested drugs without testing on real cells.

Hydrogen Bond

An electrostatic interaction between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom, possessing an energy range of $5\text{ to }40\,\text{kJ/mol}$.

Van der Waals Forces (London Dispersion Forces)

Temporary dipole-induced dipole attractions arising from electron fluctuations around molecules that create transient $\delta^+$ and $\delta^-$ regions; they are the weakest and most numerous interactions in biological systems.

Hydrophobic Interactions

Interactions with an energy range of $\sim 3\text{ to }15\,\text{kJ/mol}$ driven by the tendency of nonpolar molecules to aggregate in order to minimize disruption of water's hydrogen bonding network.

Salt Bridge

A fragile yet critical non-covalent interaction that encompasses both electrostatic interactions (ionic bonding) and hydrogen bonding.

Covalent Bond

A strong chemical bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs, characterized by an energy range of $>100\,\text{kJ/mol}$.

Hydrogen Bond Donor

A chemical group in which a hydrogen atom is covalently bound to an electronegative atom (commonly oxygen or nitrogen).

Hydrogen Bond Acceptor

An electronegative atom (commonly oxygen or nitrogen) possessing a partial negative charge ($\delta^-$) that interacts with a donor hydrogen atom.

Hydration Shell

A structurally organized network of water molecules oriented around a biological molecule, such as a protein or DNA, to form hydrogen bonds.

Zwitterion (Dipolar Ion)

A molecule that carries an overall neutral charge while possessing both positive and negative charges localized on different atoms.

Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation

A mathematical relationship used to determine the ratio of ionized to protonated forms of an ionizable group at a specified $\text{pH}$.

Resonance (Carboxyl Group)

The delocalization and sharing of a negative charge between two oxygen atoms, resulting in partial double bonds rather than a distinct single or double bond.

Hydrophobic

Describes nonpolar molecules (such as oils, methylpropane, and lipid tails) that lack partial charges and cannot interact with water via hydrogen bonding or polar interactions.

Hydrophilic

Describes polar or ionic molecules containing partial charges ($\delta^+$ and $\delta^-$) that can favorably interact with water through hydrogen bonding or electrostatic interactions.

Base Stacking Interactions

Van der Waals forces that stabilize the hydrophobic nitrogenous bases arranged in the interior core of the DNA double helix.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A supramolecular membrane structure organized by hydrophobic interactions, featuring nonpolar lipid tails clustered inside and hydrophilic head groups facing outward toward water.

Phosphodiester Bond

The covalent bond that links adjacent nucleotides together to form the structural backbone of DNA.

Central Dogma

The core pathway of information transfer in biological systems: $\text{DNA} \rightarrow \text{DNA}$ through replication, $\text{DNA} \rightarrow \text{RNA}$ through transcription, and $\text{RNA} \rightarrow \text{protein}$ through translation.

Kilojoules per mole ($\text{kJ/mol}$)

The standard unit of measurement used to quantify bond energy values and interactions in biological chemistry.