Biochemistry

Question 1

α-Helix

Answer 1

An element of polypeptide secondary structure, marked by clockwise coiling of amino acids around a central axis.

Question 2

Acetyl-CoA

Answer 2

An important metabolic intermediate that links glycolysis and β-oxidation to the citric acid cycle; can also be converted into ketone bodies.

Question 3

Active Site

Answer 3

The catalytically active portion of an enzyme.

Question 4

Active Transport

Answer 4

The movement of a molecule against its conc grad with energy investment.

• primary: uses ATP
• secondary: couples energetically costly movement to that of a favorable transport gradient of a different molecule

Question 5

Activity (Vmax)

Answer 5

This is a measure of the catalytic activity of an enzyme. It is also sometimes called velocity or rate. Vmax is the measurement by which activity is often assessed, and may be analyzed after protein isolation.

Question 6

ATP

Answer 6

The primary energy molecule of the body; energy is released by breaking the molecule’s bond with the terminal phosphate to form ADP and an inorganic phosphate.

Question 7

Activation

Answer 7

Conversion of a biomolecule to its active or usable form

ex.
activating tRNA with an amino acid
activating a fatty acid with CoA to form fatty acyl-CoA

Question 8

Aerobic Respiration

Answer 8

Energy-producing metabolic processes that require oxygen. These include the citric acid cycle, electron transport chain, and oxidative phosphorylation.

Question 9

Allosteric Enzymes

Answer 9

Enzymes that experience changes in their conformation as a result of interactions at sites other than the active (allosteric sites); the conformational changes that result may increase or decrease enzyme activity.

Question 10

Alternative Splicing

Answer 10

The production of multiple different but related mRNA molecules form a single primary transcript of hnRNA

Question 11

Amino Acid

Answer 11

A dipolar compound containing an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Question 12

Amplification

Answer 12

Increased transcription (and translation) of a gene in response to hormones, growth factors, and other intracellular conditions

Question 13

Anabolism

Answer 13

Metabolic processes that result in the consumption of energy and the synthesis of molecules. Contrast with catabolism.

Question 14

Anaerobic Respiration

Answer 14

Energy-producing metabolic processes that do not require oxygen.

ex. glycolysis, fermentation

Question 15

Anomers

Answer 15

A subtype of epimers in which the chiral carbon with inverted configuration is the carbonyl carbon (anomeric carbon).

Question 16

Anticodon

Answer 16

A 3 nucleotide sequence on a tRNA molecule that pairs with a corresponding mRNA codon during translation

Question 17

Apoenzyme

Answer 17

An enzyme devoid of the prosthetic group, coenzyme,, or cofactor necessary for normal activity. Contrast with holoenzyme.

Question 18

Apolipoprotein

Answer 18

Protein component of lipoprotein complexes. Responsible for the interaction of the resultant lipoproteins with cells and the transfer of lipid molecules. Also called apoproteins.

Question 19

β-oxidation

Answer 19

The catabolism of fatty acids to acetyl-CoA.

Question 20

β-Pleated Sheet

Answer 20

An element of polypeptide secondary structure characterized by peptide chains lying alongside one another, forming rows or strands.

Question 21

Basal Metabolic Rate

Answer 21

The amount of energy consumed in a given period of time by an organism while in a resting, nonmobile state.

Question 22

Bradford Protein Assay

Answer 22

A colorimetric method of determining the concentration of protein in a sample as compared to a protein standard; relies on a transition of absorption between bound and unbound Coomassie Brilliant Blue dye.

Question 23

Catabolism

Answer 23

Metabolic processes that result in the release of energy and breakdown of molecules.

Question 24

Cell Adhesion Molecules (CAMs)

Answer 24

Specialized structural proteins that are involved in cell-to-cell junctions as well as transient cellular interactions; common CAMs include cadherins, integrins, and selectins.

Question 25

Central Dogma of Molecular Biology

Answer 25

The major steps in the transfer of genetic information, from transcription of DNA to RNA and resultant translation of that RNA to protein.

Question 26

Centrifugation

Answer 26

The process of separating components on the basis of their density and resistance to flow by spinning a sample at very high speeds; the most dense components form a solid pellet and the least dense components remain in the supernatant (liquid portion).