Lecture 1 and 2 - Intro and What is Biochemistry? Flashcards Preview

Biochemistry > Lecture 1 and 2 - Intro and What is Biochemistry? > Flashcards

Flashcards in Lecture 1 and 2 - Intro and What is Biochemistry? Deck (18)
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1
Q

Macromolecules

A

Chemical foundations of cells

Made up of building blocks

2
Q

Nucleic acids

A

DNA and RNA
Polymers of nucleotides
Store and transmit information

3
Q

Proteins

A

Polymers of amino acids
20 (standard) amino acids that differ by their ‘R’ group (side chain group)
Molecules by which cells perform their function in the whole organism

4
Q

Carbohydrates/complex polysaccharides

A

Polymers of monosaccharides aka simple sugars

Have various diverse function sin cells such as being energy molecules, having structural roles, recognition

5
Q

Lipids

A

Hydrophobic, structurally heterogenous (non-polymeric) molecules
Have various diverse functions in cells e.g. structural roles in cell membranes, regulatory roles, energy source

6
Q

Central dogma of biology

A

DNA to RNA to Protein

DNA replication - transcription - translation

7
Q

Why is structure of a protein important?

A

It determines function

8
Q

Sequence of amino acids determines…

A

how the protein folds

9
Q

Primary structure

A

Amino acid sequence

10
Q

Secondary structure

A

Regular sub structures such as beta sheet or alpha helix

11
Q

Tertiary structure

A

Three-dimensional structure

12
Q

Quaternary structure

A

Complex of protein molecules

13
Q

Stabilisation of tertiary structure

A

Non-covalent interactions
- Hydrogen bonds
- Ionic bond
Non-polar/hydrophobic interactions (things like methyl groups interacting with each other)

Covalent interactions
- Disulfide bonds

14
Q

Disulphide bonds/bridges

A

Disulfide bonds, covalent linkages between the sulfur-containing side chains of cysteines, are much stronger than the other types of bonds that contribute to tertiary structure.

15
Q

What happens when amino acid sequence changes?

A

The structure of the resultant protein is changed, therefore its function is also affected and changed

16
Q

What do molecular interactions allow cells to do?

A
  1. Sense and interact with their environment
  2. Make and break molecules
  3. Access and use energy from food
  4. Maintain themselves, grow and divide
17
Q

How do cells make and break molecules?

A

Dehydration reactions - removal of water for polymer formation

Hydrolysis reactions - where water is added to break a bond

18
Q

What determines interactions between molecules?

A

Shape complimentarity

Non-convalent Interactions

  • Hydrogen bonds
  • Ionic interactions
  • Hydrophobic interactions