Flashcards in Definitions Deck (335)
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1
Absolute configuration
The nomenclature system used for the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in
isomers; the most common systems are D/L and (R)/(S).
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Acetal
A carbon atom bonded to an alkyl group, two - OR groups, and a hydrogen.
3
Acetyl-CoA
An important metabolic intermediate that links glycolysis and B-oxidation to the citric acid cycle; can also be converted into ketone bodies.
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Activation
The conversion of a biomolecule to its active or usable form, such as activation of tRNA with an amino acid or activation of a fatty acid with CoA to form fatty acyl-CoA .
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Activation energy
The energy required to change the state of a molecule or group of molecules to the transition state; the energy required for a reaction to occur.
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Active site
The catalytically active portion of an enzyme.
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Active transport
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.
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Activity
The measure of the catalytic activity of an enzyme, also called the velocity or rate. It is often measured as a vmax and may be analyzed after protein isolation.
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Activity analysis
The determination of the enzymatic activity of an isolated protein by interaction with a substrate; usually colorimetric in nature.
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Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
The primary energy molecule of the body; it releases energy by breaking the bond with the terminal phosphate to form ADP and inorganic phosphate.
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Adipocyte
A cell specializing in fat storage.
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Aerobic respiration
A collection of energy-producing metabolic processes that require oxygen, including the citric acid cycle, electron transport chain, and oxidative phosphorylation.
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Agglutination
Clumping of particles caused by the binding of antibody to target antigen.
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Aldose
A sugar in which the highest order functional group is an aldehyde; can be categorized by number of carbons (triose, tetrose, pentose, hexose, etc.).
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Allosteric enzymes
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.
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Alpha helix
An element of secondary structure, marked by clockwise coiling of amino acids around a
central axis.
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Alternative splicing
The production of multiple different but related mRNA molecules from a single primary transcript of hnRNA.
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Amino acid
A dipolar compound containing an amino group (- NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).
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Amphipathic
Having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions.
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Amphoteric
The ability to act as an acid or base.
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Amplification
Increased transcription (and translation) of a gene in response to hormones, growth factors, and other intracellular conditions.
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Anabolism
The series of metabolic processes that result in the consumption of energy and the synthesis of molecules.
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Anaerobic respiration
The series of energy-producing metabolic processes that do not require oxygen, including glycolysis and fermentation.
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Anomers
A subtype of epimers in which the chiral carbon with inverted configuration was the carbonyl carbon (anomeric carbon).
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Antibody
A specialized protein molecule produced by lymphocytes for interaction with antigens; antibodies consist of two heavy and two light chains that have constant and variable regions. Antibodies, also called immunoglobulins, are mediators of the immune response.
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Anticodon
A three-nucleotide sequence on a tRNA molecule that pairs with a corresponding mRNA codon during translation.
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Antigen
The region of a molecule that interacts with an antibody; in most cases, antigens are proteins.
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Apoenzyme
An enzyme devoid of the prosthetic group, coenzyme, or cofactor necessary for normal activity.
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Apolipoproteins
Protein molecules responsible for the interaction oflipo- proteins with cells and the transfer of lipid molecules between lipoproteins; also called apoproteins.
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