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MCAT Prep > Biochem > Flashcards

Biochem Flashcards

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MCAT flashcards
1
Q

protein denaturation

A

Breaking up the non-primary structure of a protein.

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2
Q

Types of macromolecules

A

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

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3
Q

Fatty acid activation

A

Process in which a CoA molecule is added to the fatty acid to produce acyl-CoA, converting ATP to AMP in the process.

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4
Q

Types of macromolecules

A

Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

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5
Q

Tertiary protein structure

A

The 3D structures that result from interactions among the side chains of the amino acid residues of a protein. Many of these interactions are non-covalent charge-driven interactions.

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6
Q

Mixed inhibition

A

Involves an inhibitor binding the ES complex or a free enzyme at an allosteric site. Vmax is decreased. The effect on Km depends on the binding preference of a given inhibitor. If a mixed inhibitor prefers to bind the free enzyme, Km is increased. If a mixed inhibitor prefers to bind the ES complex, its overall effect can be thought of as similar to that of an uncompetitive inhibitor, and Km will be decreased

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7
Q

Steroids

A

A category of lipid used for chemical signals and structurally supporting the cell membrane. Characterized by a 4 ring structure. Influence the membrane’s fluidity.

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8
Q

Oxidative stress

A

Caused by an imbalance of oxygen reactive species (ROS) in cells and tissues. Leads to cell and tissue damage

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9
Q

Electron transport chain

A

Portion of aerobic respiration where protons build up in the intermembrane space of the mitochondria, and that proton gradient is used to power the formation of ATP by ATP synthase

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10
Q

Gap junction

A

Intercellular channels that allow ions to diffuse between cells.

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11
Q

Uncompetitive inhibition

A

Involves an inhibitor interacting with the ES complex at an allosteric site. Prevents an enzyme from letting go of a substrate that it has bound. Decreases Vmax and Km.

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12
Q

Ketone bodies production and use

A

Produced from excess acetyl-CoA made during the oxidation of fatty acids. Serve as a fuel source if glucose levels are too low in the body.

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13
Q

Proton motive force

A

Proton gradient that is established across the inner mitochondrial membrane during electron transfer through Complexes I, III, and IV.

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14
Q

Water-soluble electron carriers

A

Refers to NAD+, FAD, NADPH, and NADP+. Play important roles during cellular respiration.

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15
Q

Lipoprotein

A

A molecule that is a combination of lipid and protein

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16
Q

Transferase

A

An enzyme that transfers a functional group between molecules

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17
Q

Citric acid cycle steps

A

Citrate -> Isocitrate -> α-ketoglutarate -> Succinyl CoA -> Succinate -> Fumarate -> Malate -> Oxaloacetate

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18
Q

Glutamate (look at picture of chemical structure)

A

Glu, E, acidic/negatively charged, critical component of cellular metabolism

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19
Q

Lipid raft

A

Cholesterol-rich microdomains of cell membranes. Influences membrane fluidity and membrane protein trafficking

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20
Q

Glutamine (look at picture of chemical structure)

A

Gln, Q, polar

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21
Q

Waxes

A

Found in the outer layer of plant cells. Helps to regulate transpiration and protect the plant.

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22
Q

Oxidative phosphorylation

A

A transfer of electrons from soluble electron carriers (NADH and FADH2) to oxygen; the energy released in the process is used to form ATP.

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23
Q

Fluid mosaic model

A

States that the plasma membrane is a mosaic of components, such as phospholipids, cholesterol, and proteins.

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24
Q

Lipase

A

An enzyme that breaks down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol.

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25
Q

Alanine (look at picture of chemical structure)

A

Ala, A, non-polar

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26
Q

Adenylate cyclase

A

An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of cAMP from ATP.

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27
Q

Citric acid cycle

A

A cycle of reactions involved in the oxidation of acetyl-CoA and the formation of reduced soluble electron carriers and high-energy molecules (GTP).

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28
Q

Positive cooperativity

A

A phenomenon displayed by enzymes or receptors that have multiple binding sites where the affinity of the binding sites for a ligand is increased upon the binding of a ligand to a binding site.

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29
Q

Unsaturated fat

A

A fatty acid with one or more double or triple bonds

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30
Q

Net energy production per molecule of glucose for glycolysis, the PDH complex, and the TCA cycle

A

4 ATP, 10 NADH, and 2 FADH2 per glucose

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31
Q

Leucine

A

Leu, L, non-polar

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32
Q

Metabolism of proteins

A

Starts in the stomach, where enzymes break down proteins into amino acids. They are then transported into the bloodstream for circulation to the liver and cells throughout the body to create new proteins.

33
Q

Aspartate

A

Asp, D, acidic/negatively charged

34
Q

Proline

A

Pro, P, non-polar, has a cyclic structure in the side chain and a secondary amino group alpha to the carboxyl group

35
Q

Active Site Model

A

States that the enzyme’s active site binds to the substrate. A substrate matches the site like a puzzle piece, making the enzyme specific to its substrate.

36
Q

Vesicle

A

Structure consisting of liquid or cytoplasm enclosed by a lipid bilayer. Forms during the processes of secretion, uptake and transport of materials within the plasma membrane.

37
Q

Cystine (definition)

A

The dimer formed when two cysteines are oxidatively linked with an S-S bond. Important for some tertiary and quaternary protein structures. Can be broken into the respective cysteines by using a reducing agent.

38
Q

Function of enzyme

A

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up the rate of a reaction by reducing the activation energy.

39
Q

Cocci

A

Sphere shaped bacteria

40
Q

Control of cell cycle

A

Cyclins regulate the cell cycle when they are tightly bound to cyclin-dependent protein kinases (Cdks

41
Q

Progesterone

A

Secreted by the ovaries. Steroid hormone that promotes maintenance of the endometrium

42
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

A small molecule that helps propagate information from one neuron to another

43
Q

Transformation

A

Refers to the ability of some bacteria to absorb genetic material directly from the environment.

44
Q

Dopamine

A

A neurotransmitter involved in reward-motivated behavior and motor control

45
Q

Somatostatin

A

A regulatory, homeostatic hormone that inhibits gastrointestinal tract activity, cellular growth, and the activity of a number of related hormones.

46
Q

valve

A

A section of tissue that maintains the correct direction of blood flow through allowing enough pressure to build for forward propulsion and backflow prevention.

47
Q

Implantation

A

A multi-stage process that involves close communication and adaptation between the embryo and the uterine tissue. The placenta begins to form from the trophoblast and the chorion and amnion begin to form from parts of the internal cell mass. The chorion and amnion go on to form the amniotic sac, which envelops the embryo/fetus throughout pregnancy.

48
Q

Gastrulation

A

Process by the embryo further differentiates from blastula to gastrula.

49
Q

Proximal convoluted tubule

A

Where filtrate is first filtered. Where water, amino acids, glucose, ions, and water-soluble vitamins are reabsorbed. Waste products like H+, K+, ammonia, and urea are also secreted here.

50
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

Execute voluntary movement, innervating skeletal muscles throughout the body

51
Q

Nucleoid

A

Central region in a prokaryotic cell that contains the chromosomes and has no surrounding membrane.

52
Q

Nucleus

A

Membrane-bound organelle that contains the chromosomes in eukaryotic cells. Nuclear pores allow for the passage of molecules.

53
Q

Ovum

A

The female reproductive cell. Produced by ovaries. Can divide to give rise to an embryo only after fertilization by a male cell.

54
Q

Thermoregulation

A

Takes place by evaporation of heat in the form of sweat from the capillaries of the skin.

55
Q

Translocation

A

A genetic change in which a piece of one chromosome breaks off and attaches to another chromosome.

56
Q

Helper T-cells

A

Also known as CD4+ T-cells. Release lymphokines that recruit and activate other immune cells. Helper T-cells respond to exogenous antigens presented by MHC-II molecules.

57
Q

Polysynaptic

A

A type of reflex that involves two or more synapses in the CNS.

58
Q

Thymus

A

A lymphatic organ where T-cells mature.

59
Q

Memory cells

A

A form of B-cell that remains in the lymph node and activates after encountering the same antigen a second time. Responsible for launching the secondary response and may remain over a lifetime

60
Q

Efferent neuron

A

Motor neurons that carry signals from the CNS to the periphery.

61
Q

Interphase

A

The stage in the life cycle of a cell where the cell prepares for division. Growth and DNA replication occur.

62
Q

afferent neuron

A

peripheral neurons that carry information into the CNS

63
Q

Parasitic relationship

A

Relationship between two species in which one benefits at the expense of the other.

64
Q

Gel electrophoresis

A

Method used to separate mixtures of DNA, RNA, or proteins according to molecular size. Molecules to be separated are pushed by an electrical field through a gel that contains small pores

65
Q

Thrombin

A

A clotting factor formed from prothrombin within the clotting cascade. Converts fibrinogen to fibrin, which form fibers that become a clot

66
Q

Threshold potential

A

The minimum potential difference needed in order to fire an action potential

67
Q

Embryogenesis

A

The process of development of an embryo from a zygote. The zygote undergoes repeated cell division through mitosis.

68
Q

Mitochondrial genome

A

Circular chromosome found inside mitochondria. These are passed from the mother to the offspring in an example of cytoplasmic inheritance.

69
Q

Ectoderm

A

The outermost of the three germ layers. Develops into epidermis, lining of mouth and anus, and nervous system

70
Q

Action potential

A

The signal that travels from one unmyelinated gap to the next, rapidly “jumping” down the axon in a process known as saltatory conduction. The membrane potential of a specific cell location rapidly rises and falls.

71
Q

prions

A

An infection protein that triggers proteins to fold abnormally.

72
Q

Topoisomerase

A

Inflicts single-strand (topoisomerase I) or double-strand (topoisomerase II) breaks in DNA. Corrects overwound DNA during DNA replication

73
Q

G2 phase

A

Phase where DNA replication is complete, and the cell is ready to divide

74
Q

Role of gallbladder in digestion

A

To store, and therefore concentrate, bile ultimately for release into the duodenum.

75
Q

Bottleneck affect

A

Occurs when some external event dramatically reduces the size of a population in a way that is essentially random with regard to most if not all alleles.

76
Q

Aortic valve

A

The valve between the left ventricle and the aorta.

77
Q

Oogonium

A

An immature female germ cell that replicates to become primary oocytes.

78
Q
A

MCAT Prep (4 decks)

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