3: Biological Macromolecules Flashcards
type of secondary protein structure formed by folding the polypeptide into a helix shape with hydrogen bonds stabilizing the structure
alpha-helix structure (α-helix)
a protein’s monomer; has a central carbon or alpha carbon to which an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen, and an R group or side chain is attached; the R group is different for all 20 common amino acids
amino acid
secondary structure in proteins in which hydrogen bonding forms “pleats” between atoms on the polypeptide chain’s backbone
beta-pleated sheet (β-pleated)
large molecule necessary for life that is built from smaller organic molecules
biological macromolecule
biological macromolecule in which the ratio of carbon to hydrogen and to oxygen is 1:2:1; carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural support in cells and form arthropods’ cellular exoskeleton
carbohydrate
polysaccharide that comprises the plants’ cell wall; provides structural support to the cell
cellulose
(AKA chaperonin) protein that helps nascent protein in the folding process
chaperone
type of carbohydrate that forms the outer skeleton of all arthropods that include crustaceans and insects; it also forms fungi cell walls
chitin
(also, condensation) reaction that links monomer molecules, releasing a water molecule for each bond formed
dehydration synthesis
loss of shape in a protein as a result of changes in temperature, pH, or chemical exposure
denaturation
double-helical molecule that carries the cell’s hereditary information
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
two sugar monomers that a glycosidic bond links
disaccharide
catalyst in a biochemical reaction that is usually a complex or conjugated protein
enzyme
storage carbohydrate in animals
glycogen
bond formed by a dehydration reaction between two monosaccharides with eliminating a water molecule
glycosidic bond
chemical signaling molecule, usually protein or steroid, secreted by endocrine cells that act to control or regulate specific physiological processes
hormone
reaction that causes breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules by utilizing water
hydrolysis
macromolecule that is nonpolar and insoluble in water
lipid
RNA that carries information from DNA to ribosomes during protein synthesis
messenger RNA (mRNA)
smallest unit of larger molecules that are polymers
monomer
single unit or monomer of carbohydrates
monosaccharide
biological macromolecule that carries the cell’s genetic blueprint and carries instructions for the cell’s functioning
nucleic acid
monomer of nucleic acids; contains a pentose sugar, one or more phosphate groups, and a nitrogenous base
nucleotide
type of polyunsaturated fat that the body
requires; numbering the carbon omega starts from the methyl end or the end that is farthest from the carboxylic end
omega fat
bond formed between two amino acids by a dehydration reaction
peptide bond
covalent chemical bond that holds together the polynucleotide chains with a phosphate group linking neighboring nucleotides’ two pentose sugars
phosphodiester linkage
membranes’ major constituent; comprised of two fatty acids and a phosphate-containing group attached to a glycerol backbone
phospholipid
chain of monomer residues that covalent bonds link; polymerization is the process of polymer formation from monomers by condensation
polymer
long chain of nucleotides
polynucleotide
long chain of amino acids that peptide bonds link
polypeptide
long chain of monosaccharides; may be branched or unbranched
polysaccharide
linear sequence of amino acids in a protein
primary structure
biological macromolecule comprised of one or more amino acid chains
protein
type of nitrogenous base in DNA and RNA; adenine and guanine are purines
purine
type of nitrogenous base in DNA and RNA; cytosine, thymine, and uracil are pyrimidines
pyrimidine
association of discrete polypeptide subunits in a protein
quaternary structure
single-stranded, often internally base paired, molecule that is involved in protein synthesis
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
RNA that ensures the proper alignment of the mRNA and the ribosomes during protein synthesis and catalyzes forming the peptide linkage
ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
long-chain hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds in the carbon chain; the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon skeleton is maximized
saturated fatty acid
regular structure that proteins form by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the oxygen atom of one amino acid residue and the hydrogen attached to the nitrogen atom of another amino acid residue
secondary structure
storage carbohydrate in plants
starch
type of lipid comprised of four fused hydrocarbon rings forming a planar structure
steroid
a protein’s three-dimensional
conformation, including interactions between secondary structural elements; formed from interactions between amino acid side chains
tertiary structure
fat formed artificially by hydrogenating oils, leading to a different arrangement of double bond(s) than those in naturally occurring lipids
trans fat
process through which messenger RNA forms on a template of DNA
transcription
RNA that carries activated amino acids to the site of protein synthesis on the ribosome
transfer RNA (tRNA)
process through which RNA directs the
protein’s formation
translation
fat molecule; consists of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule
triacylglycerol / triglyceride
long-chain hydrocarbon that has one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain
unsaturated fatty acid
lipid comprised of a long-chain fatty acid that is esterified to a long-chain alcohol; serves as a protective coating on some feathers, aquatic mammal fur, and leaves
wax
