Biochemistry

Question 1

Beta-Oxidation

Answer 1

The catabolism of fatty acids to acetyl-CoA

Question 2

Beta-Pleated Sheet

Answer 2

An element of secondary structure, marked by peptide chains lying alongside one another, forming rows or strands.

Question 3

Basal Metabolic Rate

Answer 3

The amount of energy consumed in a given period of time by an organism while resting.

Question 4

Bradford Protein Assay

Answer 4

A colorimetric method of determining the concentration of protein in an isolate against a protein standard; relies on a transition of absorption between bound and unbound Coomassie Brilliant Blue dye.

Question 5

Catabolism

Answer 5

Metabolic processes that result in the release of energy and the breakdown of molecules.

Question 6

Cell Adhesion Molecules

Answer 6

Specialized structural proteins that are involved in cell-to-cell junctions as well as transient cellular interactions; common cell adhesion molecules include cadherins, integrins, and selectins.

Question 7

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Answer 7

The major steps in the transfer of genetic information, from transcription of DNA to RNA and translation of that RNA to protein.

Question 8

Centrifugation

Answer 8

The process of separating components on the basis of their density and resistance to flow by spinning a sample at very high speeds; the most dense components form a solid pellet and the least dense components remain in the supernatant (liquid portion).

Question 9

Anabolism

Answer 9

Metabolic processes that result in the consumption of energy and the synthesis of molecules.

Question 10

Anaerobic Respiration

Answer 10

Energy-producing metabolic processes that do not require oxygen, including glycolysis and fermentation.

Question 11

Anomers

Answer 11

A subtype of epimers in which the chiral carbon with inverted configuration is the carbonyl carbon (anomeric carbon).

Question 12

Anticodon

Answer 12

A three-nucleotide sequence on a tRNA molecule that pairs with a corresponding mRNA codon during translation.

Question 13

Apoenzyme

Answer 13

An enzyme devoid of the prosthetic group, coenzyme, or cofactor necessary for normal activity.

Question 14

Apolipoprotein

Answer 14

Protein molecules responsible for the interaction of lipoprotiens with cells and the transfer of lipid molecules between lipoproteins; also called apoproteins.

Question 15

Aphla-Helix

Answer 15

An element of secondary structure, marked by clockwise coiling of amino acids around a central axis.

Question 16

Acetyl-CoA

Answer 16

An important metabolic intermediate that links glycolysis and beta-oxidation to the citric acid cycle; can also be converted into ketone bodies.

Question 17

Activation

Answer 17

Conversion of a biomolecule to its active or usable form, such as activating tRNA with an amino acid or activating a fatty acid with CoA to form fatty acyl-CoA.

Question 18

Active Site

Answer 18

The catalytically active portion of an enzyme.

Question 19

Active Transport

Answer 19

The movement of a molecule against its concentration gradient with energy investment; primary active transport uses ATP, whereas secondary active transport uses a favorable transport gradient of a different molecule.

Question 20

Activity

Answer 20

Also sometimes called velocity or rate, this is a measure of the catalytic activity of an enzyme. It is often measured as a Vmax and may be analyzed after protein isolation.

Question 21

Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP)

Answer 21

The primary energy molecule of the body; it releases energy by breaking the bond with the terminal phosphate to form ADP and an inorganic phosphate.

Question 22

Aerobic Respiration

Answer 22

Energy-producing metabolic processes that require oxygen, including the citric acid cycle, electron transport chain, and the oxidative phosphorylation.

Question 23

Allosteric Enzymes

Answer 23

Enzymes that experience changes in their conformation as a result of interactions at sites other than the active site called allosteric sites; conformational changes may increase or decrease enzyme activity.

Question 24

Alternative Splicing

Answer 24

The production of multiple different but related mRNA molecules from a single primary transcript of hnRNA.

Question 25

Amino Acid

Answer 25

A dipolar compound containing an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Question 26

Amplification

Answer 26

Increased transcription (and translation) of a gene in response to hormones, growth factors, and other intracellular conditions.