Fibrous Proteins and Unconscious Bias in Science Training

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to fibrous proteins and the effects of bias in science education and careers.

Fibrous Proteins

Proteins that provide strength and flexibility to structures.

α-keratin

A fibrous protein that forms tough, insoluble protective structures such as hair and nails.

Silk fibroin

A fibrous protein that forms soft, flexible filaments and is known for its use in silk.

Collagen

The most abundant protein in the extracellular matrix, providing structural support to connective tissues.

Primary structure

The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.

Secondary structure

The local folded structures that form within a polypeptide due to hydrogen bonding, such as α-helices and β-sheets.

Tertiary structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein formed by interactions among the side chains.

Quaternary structure

The structure formed by the assembly of multiple polypeptide chains.

Disulfide bonds

Covalent bonds that stabilize protein structure by linking cysteine residues.

Hydrophobic residues

Amino acid side chains that are nonpolar and tend to avoid contact with water.

Gly-X-Y

The repeating tripeptide sequence in collagen, where X is often proline and Y is often hydroxyproline.

Hydroxyproline

A modified amino acid that is essential for the stability of collagen.

Covalent cross-linking

The process of forming covalent bonds between protein chains to provide strength.

Polyproline helix

A type of secondary structure characteristic of collagen.

Steric repulsion

A phenomenon where atoms or groups prevent each other from getting too close due to spatial constraints.

ECM (Extracellular Matrix)

A complex network of proteins and other molecules that provide structural support to surrounding cells.

Hydrogen bonds

Non-covalent interactions that stabilize protein structure and occur between hydrogen and electronegative atoms.

Fibroblasts

Cells that secrete collagen and other extracellular matrix components.

Type I collagen

The most common form of collagen found in the body, primarily in bones and tendons.

Type IV collagen

A type of collagen that forms a two-dimensional matrix and supports epithelial layers.

Post-translational modification

Chemical changes made to a protein after its synthesis.

Vitamin C

A nutrient that is necessary for the modification of proline to hydroxyproline.

Fibrillar collagen

Collagen that is organized into fibrils providing strength and support in tissues.

Antiparallel β-strands

A structure in silk fibroin where the strands run in opposite directions.

N-terminal globular domain

The region at one end of a collagen molecule that is not part of the helical structure.

C-terminal globular domain

The region at the other end of a collagen molecule along with the N-terminal domain.

Tendon

A fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone, largely made up of collagen.

Matrix

The environment in which cells live, composed of extracellular proteins like collagen.

Shearing forces

Forces that can cause layers of tissue to slip over each other, requiring tensile strength for resistance.

Tripeptide unit

A unit of collagen consisting of three amino acids typically in the sequence Gly-X-Y.

Collagen triple helix

The stable structure formed by three intertwined polypeptide chains in collagen.

Stabilization

The process by which molecular structures are held in their proper conformation.

Hydrophobic interactions

Forces that drive nonpolar substances to aggregate in aqueous solutions.

Antibodies

Proteins that the immune system uses to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses.

Implicit bias

Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect understanding, actions, and decisions.

Unconscious bias training

Educational programs designed to make individuals aware of their implicit biases.

Diversity in science

The inclusion of different types of people and perspectives in scientific research and education.

Gender bias

Prejudice or discrimination based on a person's gender.

Reference letters

Letters recommending someone for employment or a position, often varying in quality based on gender.

Hiring committees

Groups of individuals responsible for evaluating and selecting candidates for employment.

Statistical significance

A measure that indicates the likelihood that a result or relationship is caused by something other than mere chance.

Cultural norms

The shared standards and values that are acceptable in a group.

Representation

The presence of individuals from various backgrounds in a given field.

Decision points

Key moments where choices are made that can influence outcomes.

Gender stereotypes

Oversimplified and generalized beliefs about the characteristics of men and women.

Equity in science

Ensuring fair treatment, access, opportunity, and advancement for all science trainees and professionals.

Tensile strength

The resistance of a material to breaking under tension.

Recruitment practices

Methods and strategies used to attract and select candidates for positions.

Stereotypes

Widely held but oversimplified and generalized beliefs about particular groups.

Biased language

Words or phrases that unfairly favor one group over another in communication.

Review process

The evaluation and assessment of applications or proposals to ensure quality and fairness.

Scientific merit

The inherent value and quality of scientific work or research.

Hiring outcomes

The results from recruitment that determine who gets selected for positions.

Role models

Individuals who are looked to for inspiration and guidance, often in a specific field or profession.

Metaphors of bias

Figurative language that describes the impact and nature of bias in decision-making.

Bias mitigations

Strategies or interventions aimed to reduce the impact of bias.

Pathways of advancement

The routes through which individuals progress in their careers.

Bias reduction

The process of minimizing the effects of bias in evaluation or decision-making.