Endocrine System Flashcards
What is the most varied molecule in the human body?
Protein
There are at least 10,000 different kinds of proteins in the human body.
What are the essential components of proteins?
Oxygen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Hydrogen
These elements combine to form proteins.
What role do proteins play in chemical reactions?
Act as Enzymes or Catalyst
Proteins influence the rate of chemical reactions in cells.
What is an enzymes?
Complex proteins
Enzymes are a type of protein that catalyzes biochemical reactions.
What are catalysts?
Simple inorganic molecules
Catalysts speed up chemical reactions but are not necessarily proteins.
True or False: All enzymes are catalysts.
True
While all enzymes act as catalysts, not all catalysts are enzymes.
What is an amino acids?
Building blocks of proteins
Amino acids are linked together in long chains to form proteins.
What are nucleic acids made of?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus
Nucleic acids are large molecules essential for genetic information.
What are the building blocks of nucleic acids?
Nucleotides
Nucleotides make up DNA and RNA.
What does DNA stand for?
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
DNA is structured as a double helix.
What is the function of DNA?
Master blueprint for life
DNA contains the genetic heritage of an organism.
What does RNA stand for?
Ribonucleic Acid
RNA is structured as a single strand.
What is the primary role of RNA?
Codes the structure of protein
RNA is crucial in the process of protein synthesis.
What are the three kinds of RNA involved in protein synthesis?
- Messenger RNA (mRNA)
- Transfer RNA (tRNA)
- Ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Each type of RNA plays a specific role in synthesizing proteins.
What is the role of messenger RNA (mRNA)?
Travels from the nucleus to the ribosomes
mRNA carries the genetic information for protein synthesis.
What does transfer RNA (tRNA) do?
Brings amino acids to ribosomes
tRNA assists in assembling proteins by delivering the correct amino acids.
What is the function of ribosomal RNA (rRNA)?
Provides mechanism for decoding mRNA
rRNA interacts with mRNA and tRNA during translation.
What are the fundamental processes that allow genetic information to be converted into proteins?
DNA Transcription and Translation
These processes are essential for protein synthesis.
What is transcription?
Synthesis of RNA from a template strand of DNA
Transcription involves three steps: Initiation, Elongation, Termination.
What is translation?
Processes information from mRNA to synthesize proteins
Like transcription, translation also involves Initiation, Elongation, Termination.
What is a codon?
Three-nucleotide sequence on mRNA
Codons correspond to specific amino acids during protein synthesis.
What is an anticodon?
Complementary three-nucleotide sequence on tRNA
Anticodons pair with mRNA codons during translation.
Where does translation occur?
At the ribosomes
Ribosomes are the cellular machinery for synthesizing proteins.
