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Intro To Biology > 2.3 Biological Chemistry > Flashcards

2.3 Biological Chemistry Flashcards

(70 cards)

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1
Q

Biological chemistry

A

Study of the chemical reactions and pathways of living cells and organisms

Combination of biological science and chemistry

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2
Q

Macromolecules

A

Extremely large molecules that can be composed of thousands of atoms

Building blocks for cells and carry out cellular functions

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3
Q

Types of macromolecules

A

Proteins

Carbohydrates

Lipids

Nucleic acids

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4
Q

Proteins

A

Polymers composed of alpha amino acids

Control the structure and function of cells

Several polypeptides folded together into a specific shape

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5
Q

Amino acid

A

Molecule with amine and carboxyl functional groups attached to an alpha carbon

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6
Q

Functional groups

A

Specific groupings of atoms within molecules that have their own characteristic properties regardless of other atoms present

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7
Q

Alpha carbon

A

Central to the molecule

In alpha amino acids the amine group, carboxyl group, and side chain are all attached to the alpha carbon

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8
Q

Side chain

A

Gives each of 20 amino acids its own properties

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9
Q

Essential amino acids

A

Amino acids that cannot be produced by the body

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10
Q

Peptides

A

Short chains of amino acids

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11
Q

Polypeptides

A

Chains of many amino acids connected by peptide bonds

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12
Q

Polymerization

A

Forming of peptides and proteins through peptide bonds

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13
Q

Peptide bonds

A

Formed via dehydration reaction

In organism, catalyzed enzyme called peptidyl transferase

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14
Q

Residue

A

An amino acid in a peptide or polypeptide

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15
Q

Mass of a polypeptide

A

Typically <5,000 g/mol

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16
Q

Mass of protein

A

5,000-40,000,000 g/mol

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17
Q

Primary structure

A

A protein’s amino acid sequence

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18
Q

Secondary structure

A

Largely driven by hydrogen bonding between the hydrogen on the nitrogen of one residue and the carbonyl carbon of another

Two main types are alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets

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19
Q

Tertiary structure

A

Protein’s three dimensional shape, largely driven by hydrophobic areas of the protein that prefer to be buried in the interior of the structure.

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20
Q

Hydrophobic

A

Water-repelling

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21
Q

Quaternary structure

A

Arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains to form a larger protein

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22
Q

Alpha-helix

A

Peptide chain coils into a right-handed helix and hydrogen bonds form between coils

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23
Q

Beta-pleated sheets

A

Hydrogen bonds form from one strand to another. Side chains alternate between pointing to the inside or outside of the sheet and impacts the properties of the protein.

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24
Q

Pepsin

A

Protein that breaks down other proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids

Makes them easier to incorporate into the body for nutrition

Contains both alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets

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25
Denaturation
Process of a protein unfolding from its native structure Can be due to changes in pH, temperature, and salt concentration Denatured proteins generally aren’t active and typically irreversible
26
Enzymes
Class of proteins that catalyze reactions by acting upon a substrate
27
Catalyst
Speed up reaction by lowering activation energy
28
Lock-and-Key model
Substrate has to be specific shape and orientation to fit on the enzyme
29
Induced-Fit Model
In addition to the substrate being a specific shape and orientation, the enzyme also conforms to the substrate to provide a better fit
30
Structural protein examples
Collagen in skin and tendons, keratin in hair and nails
31
Disulfide bonds
Bonds that form between two sulfides in cysteine residues
32
Hemoglobin
Transports oxygen throughout mammalian body
33
Carbohydrates
Primary energy source for plants and animals Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides
34
Photosynthesis
Series of reactions in which carbon dioxide and water are converted to glucose and oxygen
35
Monosaccharides
Single sugars Have alcohol groups on their carbons, allowing them to form hydrogen bonds with water (water soluble) Contain a carbonyl group
36
Disaccharides
Two sugars bonded together
37
Polysaccharides
Polymer chains of saccharides Types of biopolymers
38
Sucrose
Disaccharide made of glucose a fructose
39
Lactose
Disaccharide made of glucose and galactose
40
Lactase
Catalyzes the reaction to break apart lactose so that its energy can be stored or used by the body
41
Biopolymers
Polymers of biological molecules
42
Glycogen
Stores energy in the muscles and livers of humans and other animals
43
Starches
Water-soluble helical structure with alcohol groups readily available for hydrogen bonding Used to store energy in plants Converted to glycogen when consumed by humans
44
Cellulose
Form hydrogen bonds between its strands to form sheets, making it insoluble and more rigid Plants use cellulose in rigid structures such as stems Dietary fiber for humans
45
Active site
Binding site for a reactant on an enzyme
46
Lipids
Nonpolar, water-insoluble molecules that are found in the cels and tissues of living organisms
47
Simple lipids
Contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen
48
Complex lipids
Contain elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur
49
Fatty acids
Simple lipids that are carboxylic acids with long chains of hydrocarbons attached Components of triglycerides and waxes
50
Waxes
Esters of fatty acids with long chain alcohols
51
Cetyl palmitate
Found in heads of sperm whales and regulates their ability to float Used in cosmetics
52
Triglycerides
Esters of fatty acids with glycerol
53
Triol
Hydrocarbon with three alcohol functional groups such as glycerol
54
Fats
Triglycerides that are solid at room temperature
55
Oils
Triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature
56
Unsaturated fats
Contain at least one double bond Can be obtained from fish, avocados, tree nuts
57
Phospholipids
Contain two long carbon arms and a phosphate group Important building blocks of the cell membrane
58
Steroids
Simple lipids that serve as important components of cell membranes for membrane fluidity and as signaling molecules Made of four connected hydrocarbon rings
59
Commonly used to treat severe allergic reactions. Why? \
Prednisone Allergic reactions are generally a result of the immune system overreacting to an allergen, and prednisone is prescribed to suppress the immune system
60
Steroid that is an important structural component of cell membranes
Cholesterol
61
Nucleic acids
Composed of nucleotides
62
Nucleotide components
Monomers made of - a 5-carbon sugar - a phosphate group - a nitrogenous base
63
Determinations that DNA makes for a cell
- cell type - cell function - when the cell will grow or divide - how the cell will make lipids, carbohydrates, enzymes, and other molecules it and the organism need to survive
64
Phosphate group (nucleic acid)
Serves as backbone to which all the sugars and bases are bonded PO-3 at position 3
65
Difference of ribose chains in DNA and RNA
RNA has an oxygen on one of the ribose carbons in the polymer chain that DNA lacks
66
Types of nitrogenous bases
Adenine Cytosine Guanine Thymine (DNA only) Uracil (RNA only)
67
Chromatin
DNA double helix wrapped around itself and proteins creating a fiber
68
Chromosomes
Compacted chromatin
69
Process of RNA synthesis
1. DNA is separated into two strands 2. RNA polymerase adds RNA nucleotides 3. New synthesized RNA strand is formed 4. The RNA exits to the cytoplasm through the nuclear pore
70
Watson, Crick, and Franklin
In 1953, determined that DNA has a double-helix structure

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