A3P Lecture 9/11 Review: Organic Molecules

Flashcards covering key vocabulary related to steroids, proteins (structure, function, denaturation), nucleic acids (DNA, RNA, transcription, translation, gene expression), and ATP from the lecture notes.

Steroids

Structural molecules and hormones, lipids made up of 4 carbon rings bound together. Examples include Cholesterol, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol.

Proteins

The most functionally diverse organic molecules in the body, serving as fuel, structural molecules, hormones, receptors, channels, pumps, enzymes, and antibodies. Made up of amino acids linked end to end.

Channels (Proteins)

Protein pores or tunnels that allow chemicals to bind to and pass through cell membranes.

Pumps (Proteins)

Proteins that force chemicals across cell membranes.

Antibodies

Immunity proteins that clear infection.

Enzymes

Proteins that trigger chemical reactions.

Peptides

Small proteins made up of less than 50 amino acids.

Polypeptides

Large proteins made up of more than 50 amino acids.

Primary Structure of a Protein

The sequence of amino acids down the length of the molecule.

Secondary Structure of a Protein

How the amino acid chain forms coils, folds, and loops along its length.

Tertiary Structure of a Protein

The complex 3-dimensional structure of the molecule, representing how the coils, folds, and loops interact with each other. It is the 'native' or functional structure of a protein.

Protein Denaturation

The loss of a protein's native, tertiary, or 3-dimensional functional structure, caused by factors such as heat, extreme pH, high salt, or excessive mixing.

Nucleic Acids

Genetic molecules (information) and energy/fuel molecules, made up of nucleotides.

Nucleotides

The building blocks of nucleic acids, consisting of five different types: A, G, C, T, and U.

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid)

Huge, chain-like information molecules made up of nucleotides A, G, C, and T linked end to end. They contain genes and are found within the nuclei of cells, bound with proteins in chromosomes.

Genes

Segments of nucleotide sequence within DNA molecules that are decoded into RNA molecules in the process known as 'transcription'.

Transcription

The process where gene sequences within DNA molecules are decoded into RNA molecules, occurring in the nucleus.

RNA (ribonucleic acid)

Chain-like molecules made up of A, G, C, and U nucleotides linked end to end. Produced from gene sequences during transcription in the nucleus, then leaving into the cytoplasm to bind to ribosomes.

Translation

The process where ribosomes decode the RNA nucleotide sequence into protein molecules.

Gene Expression

The two-stage process (Transcription and Translation) by which information from a gene is used in the synthesis of a functional gene product, such as a protein.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

The main energy molecule of our body, powering cellular processes. It is made up of a single nucleotide (A) with three phosphates attached (A-P-P-P).

ADP (adenosine diphosphate)

Formed when ATP loses a phosphate group, releasing energy. (A-P-P)