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Intro To Biology > 2.3 Biological Chemistry > Flashcards

2.3 Biological Chemistry Flashcards

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
Q

Denaturation

A

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

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26
Q

Enzymes

A

Class of proteins that catalyze reactions by acting upon a substrate

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27
Q

Catalyst

A

Speed up reaction by lowering activation energy

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28
Q

Lock-and-Key model

A

Substrate has to be specific shape and orientation to fit on the enzyme

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29
Q

Induced-Fit Model

A

In addition to the substrate being a specific shape and orientation, the enzyme also conforms to the substrate to provide a better fit

30
Q

Structural protein examples

A

Collagen in skin and tendons, keratin in hair and nails

31
Q

Disulfide bonds

A

Bonds that form between two sulfides in cysteine residues

32
Q

Hemoglobin

A

Transports oxygen throughout mammalian body

33
Q

Carbohydrates

A

Primary energy source for plants and animals

Monosaccharides, disaccharides, polysaccharides

34
Q

Photosynthesis

A

Series of reactions in which carbon dioxide and water are converted to glucose and oxygen

35
Q

Monosaccharides

A

Single sugars

Have alcohol groups on their carbons, allowing them to form hydrogen bonds with water (water soluble)

Contain a carbonyl group

36
Q

Disaccharides

A

Two sugars bonded together

37
Q

Polysaccharides

A

Polymer chains of saccharides

Types of biopolymers

38
Q

Sucrose

A

Disaccharide made of glucose a fructose

39
Q

Lactose

A

Disaccharide made of glucose and galactose

40
Q

Lactase

A

Catalyzes the reaction to break apart lactose so that its energy can be stored or used by the body

41
Q

Biopolymers

A

Polymers of biological molecules

42
Q

Glycogen

A

Stores energy in the muscles and livers of humans and other animals

43
Q

Starches

A

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
Q

Cellulose

A

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
Q

Active site

A

Binding site for a reactant on an enzyme

46
Q

Lipids

A

Nonpolar, water-insoluble molecules that are found in the cels and tissues of living organisms

47
Q

Simple lipids

A

Contain only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen

48
Q

Complex lipids

A

Contain elements such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or sulfur

49
Q

Fatty acids

A

Simple lipids that are carboxylic acids with long chains of hydrocarbons attached

Components of triglycerides and waxes

50
Q

Waxes

A

Esters of fatty acids with long chain alcohols

51
Q

Cetyl palmitate

A

Found in heads of sperm whales and regulates their ability to float

Used in cosmetics

52
Q

Triglycerides

A

Esters of fatty acids with glycerol

53
Q

Triol

A

Hydrocarbon with three alcohol functional groups such as glycerol

54
Q

Fats

A

Triglycerides that are solid at room temperature

55
Q

Oils

A

Triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature

56
Q

Unsaturated fats

A

Contain at least one double bond

Can be obtained from fish, avocados, tree nuts

57
Q

Phospholipids

A

Contain two long carbon arms and a phosphate group

Important building blocks of the cell membrane

58
Q

Steroids

A

Simple lipids that serve as important components of cell membranes for membrane fluidity and as signaling molecules

Made of four connected hydrocarbon rings

59
Q

Commonly used to treat severe allergic reactions. Why? \

A

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
Q

Steroid that is an important structural component of cell membranes

A

Cholesterol

61
Q

Nucleic acids

A

Composed of nucleotides

62
Q

Nucleotide components

A

Monomers made of
- a 5-carbon sugar
- a phosphate group
- a nitrogenous base

63
Q

Determinations that DNA makes for a cell

A
  • 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
Q

Phosphate group (nucleic acid)

A

Serves as backbone to which all the sugars and bases are bonded

PO-3 at position 3

65
Q

Difference of ribose chains in DNA and RNA

A

RNA has an oxygen on one of the ribose carbons in the polymer chain that DNA lacks

66
Q

Types of nitrogenous bases

A

Adenine
Cytosine
Guanine
Thymine (DNA only)
Uracil (RNA only)

67
Q

Chromatin

A

DNA double helix wrapped around itself and proteins creating a fiber

68
Q

Chromosomes

A

Compacted chromatin

69
Q

Process of RNA synthesis

A
  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
Q

Watson, Crick, and Franklin

A

In 1953, determined that DNA has a double-helix structure

Intro To Biology (21 decks)

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