Biochemistry Flashcards
What is the stereochemistry of all chiral eukaryotic amino acids?
L, (S)
the exceptions is cysteine (its R group is higher priority than the carboxylic acid group)
Which amino acids are nonpolar, nonaromatic?
glycine, alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, methionine, proline
Which amino acids are aromatic?
tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine
Which amino acids are negatively charged/acidic?
aspartate, glutamate
Which amino acids are positively charged/basic?
lysine, arginine, histidine
What is the isoelectric point (pI)?
The pH at which the molecule is electrically neutral
pI for neutral amino acid = pKa,NH3+group + pKa,COOHgroup / 2
pI for acidic amino acid = pKa,Rgroup + pKa,COOHgroup / 2
pI for basic amino acid = pKa,NH3+group + pKa,Rgroup / 2
What is the primary structure of proteins?
the linear sequence of amino acids in the chain
What is the secondary structure of proteins?
the local structure determined by nearby amino acids
alpha-helix, beta-pleated sheet
What role does proline serve in the secondary structure of proteins?
it creates kinks in alpha-helices and turns in beta-pleated sheets
What is the tertiary structure of proteins?
the proteins three-dimensional shape
What is the quaternary structure of proteins?
an aggregate of smaller globular peptides, or subunits, and represents the functional form of the protein
(only exists for proteins with more than one polypeptide chain)
What does diploid and haploid mean?
diploid (2n): cells that contain two copies of each chromosome
haploid (n): cells that contain only one copy of each chromosome
What happens in the G1 stage of the cell cycle?
the cell grows and performs its normal functions. DNA is examined and repaired
What happens in the S stage of the cell cycle?
DNA is replicated
What happens in the G2 stage of the cell cycle?
The cell continues to grow and replicates organelles in preparation for mitosis. Cell continues to perform its normal functions.
What happens in the M phase of the cell cycle?
Mitosis (cell division) occurs.
What happens in prophase of mitosis?
Chromosomes condense, nuclear membrane dissolves, nucleoli disappear, centrioles migrate to opposite poles and begin forming the spindle apparatus
What happens in metaphase of mitosis?
Chromosomes gather along the metaphase plate in the center of the cell under the guidance of the spindle apparatus
What happens in anaphase of mitosis?
Sister chromatids separate, and a copy of each chromosome migrates to opposite poles
What happens in telophase and cytokinesis of mitosis?
Chromosomes decondense, nuclear membrane reforms, nucleoli reappear, spindle apparatus breaks down, cell divides into two identical daughter cells
What is the difference between homologous chromosomes and sister chromatids?
homologous chromosomes are related chromosomes of opposite parental origin. Sister chromatids are identical copies of the same DNA that are held together at the centromere.
What is the difference between prophase I of meiosis and prophase of mitosis?
homologous chromosomes come together as tetrads during synapsis; crossing over
What is the difference between metaphase I of meiosis and metaphase of mitosis?
homologous chromosomes line up on the opposite sides of the metaphase plate, rather than individual chromosomes lining up on the metaphase plate
What is the difference between anaphase I of meiosis and anaphase of mitosis?
homologous chromosomes separate from each other; centromeres do not break