Cellular Metabolism and Macromolecules

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to small molecules, macromolecules, and cellular metabolism, as discussed in the lecture.

Small Molecules

Low molecular weight compounds that often serve as building blocks in biochemical pathways.

Macromolecules

Large complex molecules, typically including proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids, that are essential for life.

Catabolism

The set of metabolic pathways that breaks down molecules into smaller units and releases energy.

Anabolism

The set of metabolic pathways that construct molecules from smaller units and requires energy.

ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate)

An activated carrier molecule that provides energy for many cellular processes through hydrolysis.

NADH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (reduced form) acts as an electron carrier in catabolic reactions.

NADPH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form) acts as an electron carrier primarily in anabolic reactions.

Acetyl CoA

An activated carrier molecule that plays a central role in metabolism, particularly in the breakdown of fatty acids and carbohydrates.

Biosynthesis

The process by which living organisms produce larger complex molecules from smaller ones, often requiring energy input.

Oxidation and Reduction

Chemical reactions involving the transfer of electrons; oxidation refers to loss while reduction refers to gain.

Activated Carrier Molecules

Molecules like ATP, NADH, and NADPH that store and transfer energy or high-energy groups in biochemical reactions.

Polymerization

The process of linking small molecules (monomers) together to form larger molecules (polymers) through chemical reactions.

Tail Polymerization

A method of polymer synthesis where the reactive bond is carried by the monomer.

Quaternary Structure

The complex structure formed when two or more polypeptide chains come together to form a functional protein.

Secondary Structure

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

Tertiary Structure

The overall three-dimensional shape of a protein, formed by the interactions between side chains of amino acids.

Enzyme Catalysis

The acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst, typically an enzyme, which lowers the activation energy.

Ligand

Any molecule that binds to a protein, typically at a specific site, and can trigger a response.

Affinity

The strength of the binding interaction between a ligand and its target protein.

Specificity

The ability of a protein to preferentially bind to a particular ligand or group of ligands.