BIOSC0150 Week 3 Benchmarks: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, Carbs, and Proteins

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing core concepts of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids from BIOSC0150: Foundations of Biology 1 (McSharry).

Primary Structure

The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, held together by peptide bonds between backbone atoms.

Secondary Structure

Local spatial arrangements of the polypeptide backbone, such as alpha helices and beta sheets, stabilized by hydrogen bonds between backbone atoms.

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide chain, stabilized by interactions among R groups as well as backbone atoms.

Quaternary Structure

The overall protein structure resulting from the combination and interaction of two or more individual polypeptide subunits.

Protein Denaturation

The loss of a protein's folded non-native or native structure caused by environmental changes such as increased temperature, addition of acid, or addition of urea.

Phosphodiester Bond

The covalent bond that links adjacent nucleotides in a nucleic acid polymer, formed through a condensation reaction.

Nucleic Acid Directionality

The structural orientation of a nucleic acid polymer, designated by the 5' end (phosphate group) and the 3' end (hydroxyl group).

Complementary Base Pairing

The specific hydrogen bonding interactions between nitrogenous bases that stabilize double-stranded DNA or folded RNA structures.

Glycosidic Bond

The covalent bond formed between carbohydrate monomers via a condensation reaction to build disaccharides and polysaccharides.

Carbohydrate Branching

The structural property of carbohydrate polymers allowing multi-directional linkages because monomers contain multiple hydroxyl groups capable of forming glycosidic bonds.

Lipids

A broad class of biological molecules defined by their hydrophobic physical property and non-polar nature rather than a repeating polymeric structure.

Ester Bond

The covalent linkage resulting from a condensation reaction between a hydroxyl group of glycerol and a carboxyl group of a fatty acid in a triglyceride.