Proteins and Nucleic Acids

Vocabulary practice covering the structure, function, and organization of proteins and nucleic acids from Module 6 Lesson 4.

Proteins

Macromolecules that contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, with amino acids as their monomers; they are one of the largest and most diverse groups of macromolecules.

Amino Acids

There are 20 of these protein monomers, which can be polar or non-polar and can function as hormones or chemical messengers.

Amino Group

One of the specific ends of an amino acid structure, represented as $NH_2$.

Carboxyl Group

One of the specific ends of an amino acid structure, represented as $COOH$.

R Group

The variable portion of an amino acid structure that differs between each of the 20 amino acids.

Peptide Bonds

Bonds formed by dehydration synthesis between carbon and nitrogen that link amino acids together.

Functions of Proteins

Includes controlling the rate of reactions, regulating cell processes, forming cellular structures, transporting substances, and fighting disease.

Primary Structure

The first level of protein organization, consisting of linked amino acids.

Secondary Structure

The level of protein organization characterized by the folding or coiling of the peptide chain.

Tertiary Structure

The complete 3-dimensional structure of a protein.

Quaternary Structure

The level of protein organization formed when two or more proteins in their tertiary structure are put together.

Biuret Reagent

The reagent used to test for proteins which turns from blue to purple in a positive test result.

Nucleic Acids

Macromolecules that store genetic information and are made of monomers called nucleotides.

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, consisting of a 5-carbon sugar, a phosphate group ($PO_4$), and a nitrogenous base.

DNA

Deoxyribose nucleic acid; a double-stranded double helix that stores genetic information.

Deoxyribose

The 5-carbon sugar found in DNA nucleotides.

DNA Nitrogenous Bases

The four bases that make up DNA: Adenine, Thymine, Cytosine, and Guanine.

RNA

Ribose nucleic acid; a single-stranded molecule that carries the code for amino acids to build proteins.

Ribose

The 5-carbon sugar found in RNA nucleotides.

RNA Nitrogenous Bases

The four bases that make up RNA: Adenine, Uracil, Cytosine, and Guanine.