Protein Structure, Function, and Synthesis Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering protein structure, function, and synthesis.

Polycistronic mRNA

An mRNA molecule with many proteins encoded in it, often related to a metabolic pathway.

Operon

A segment of prokaryotic DNA that includes regulatory sequences for the proteins of a metabolic pathway.

Denaturation

Changing the nature of a protein, involving a change in shape and function.

Primary Structure

The sequence of amino acids in a protein.

Secondary Structure

Formation of alpha helices and beta sheets resulting from amino acid interactions.

Tertiary Structure

The three-dimensional structure of a polypeptide, including primary and secondary structures.

Quaternary Structure

Two or more polypeptide chains in association with each other.

Chaperone Proteins

Proteins that direct folding or protect proteins as they are folding.

Codons

Non-overlapping groups of three nucleotides read at a time in DNA and mRNA.

tRNA

Molecule with double-stranded regions, an amino acid-binding region, and an anticodon.

Codon-Anticodon Interaction

Complementary base pairing between codon and anticodon.

Initiation Factors

Facilitate mRNA alignment on the ribosome and start codon recognition.

Ribosome

The site of protein synthesis where polypeptides are formed.

Elongation

Process where new amino acids are transferred from one tRNA to another as mRNA moves through the ribosome.