Protein Structure and Nucleic Acids

Vocabulary flashcards covering quaternary protein structure, nucleic acid composition (DNA vs RNA), complementary base pairing, and the genetic basis of sickle-cell disease.

Quaternary structure

A level of protein organization characterized by having more than one polypeptide.

Nucleic acids

Polymers of nucleotide monomers that store genetic information and help to make proteins.

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)

A nucleic acid featuring deoxyribose sugar and a double helix structure that stores genetic information in its sequence of bases.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA)

A single-stranded nucleic acid featuring ribose sugar that helps to make proteins and uses uracil (U) instead of thymine (T).

Nucleotide

The monomer of nucleic acids, composed of a phosphate, a 5-carbon sugar, and a nitrogen-containing base.

Complementary base pairing

The specific pairing of bases in DNA, where adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) and cytosine (C) pairs with guanine (G).

Thymine (T)

A nitrogen-containing base found only in DNA that pairs with adenine (A).

Uracil (U)

A nitrogen-containing base found only in RNA, used in place of thymine (T).

Sickle-cell disease

An inherited disease in which an individual's red blood cells are sickle-shaped due to a single amino acid difference in the protein sequence.