Role of proteins and nucleic acids Flashcards
What is the proteome?
All the different proteins in an organisms cells (including enzymes)
What is a biomacromolecule?
A large organic molecule, found in organisms
- composed of smaller subunits
What is a polymer?
a large molecule composed of a chain of repeating smaller molecules called monomers
What is protein a polymer of?
Amino acids
What is RNA a polymer of?
Nucleotides
What is polypeptide a polymer of?
Amino acids (polypeptide doesn’t mean the same as protein!)
Is a lipid a polymer?
No, the lipid is not a long chain structure therefore not a polymer
What does a carrier protein do?
A transmembrane protein that transports large, polar or charged molecules across a plasma membrane
What does a channel protein do?
A transmembrane protein that transports large, polar or charged molecules across a plasma membrane
What is the cytoskeleton made up of?
The microtubules that comprise the cytoskeleton are made of proteins
What is the make up of a spindle fibre?
It is a microtubule which is made up of proteins
What is a motor protein?
A class of molecular motors that move along cytoskeleton fibres, powered by the energy in ATP
What is the function of the histone protein?
In the nucleus DNA is spooled around histones.
- Histones enable the genetic material to be compacted to fit in the nucleus
- also have a role in epigenetics, increasing/decreasing the rate at which genes are read
Are hormones proteins?
Not all of them, but most are
Are antibodies proteins?
Yes, and they are complex
What is an enzyme?
A protein that catalyses a chemical reaction without being used up in the reaction
What is more diverse: the proteome or the genome?
The proteome
On average how many proteins does a gene code for?
10-40
What sugar does DNA have?
deoxyribose
