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(3) BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
Preparation for Introductory Biology: DNA to Organisms Course for Coursera
50
Biology
12th Grade
08/27/2013

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Term
alpha-helix structure (a-helix)
Definition
type of secondary structure of proteins formed by folding of the polypeptide into a helix shape with hydrogen bonds stabilizing the structure
Term
amino acid
Definition
monomer of a protein; has a central carbon or alpha carbon to which an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen, and an R group or side chain is attached; the R group is different for all 20 amino acids
Term
beta-pleated sheet (ß-pleated)
Definition
secondary structure found in proteins in which “pleats” are formed by hydrogen bonding between atoms on the backbone of the polypeptide chain
Term
biological macromolecule
Definition
large molecule necessary for life that is built from smaller organic molecules
Term
carbohydrate
Definition
biological macromolecule in which the ratio of carbon to hydrogen and to oxygen is 1:2:1; carbohydrates serve as energy sources and structural support in cells and form the a cellular exoskeleton of arthropods
Term
cellulose
Definition
polysaccharide that makes up the cell wall of plants; provides structural support to the cell
Term
chaperone (also, chaperonin)
Definition
protein that helps nascent protein in the folding process
Term
chitin
Definition
type of carbohydrate that forms the outer skeleton of all arthropods that include crustaceans and insects; it also forms the cell walls of fungi
Term
dehydration synthesis (also, condensation)
Definition
reaction that links monomer molecules together, releasing a molecule of water for each bond formed
Term
denaturation
Definition
loss of shape in a protein as a result of changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to chemicals
Term
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)
Definition
double-helical molecule that carries the hereditary information of the cell
Term
disaccharide
Definition
two sugar monomers that are linked together by a glycosidic bond
Term
enzyme
Definition
catalyst in a biochemical reaction that is usually a complex or conjugated protein
Term
glycogen
Definition
storage carbohydrate in animals
Term
glycosidic bond
Definition
bond formed by a dehydration reaction between two monosaccharides with the elimination of a water molecule
Term
hormone
Definition
chemical signaling molecule, usually protein or steroid, secreted by endocrine cells that act to control or regulate specific physiological processes
Term
hydrolysis
Definition
reaction causes breakdown of larger molecules into smaller molecules with the utilization of water
Term
lipid
Definition
macromolecule that is nonpolar and insoluble in water
Term
messenger RNA (mRNA)
Definition
RNA that carries information from DNA to ribosomes during protein synthesis
Term
monomer
Definition
smallest unit of larger molecules called polymers
Term
monosaccharide
Definition
single unit or monomer of carbohydrates
Term
nucleic acid
Definition
biological macromolecule that carries the genetic blueprint of a cell and carries instructions for the functioning of the cell
Term
nucleotide
Definition
monomer of nucleic acids; contains a pentose sugar, one or more phosphate groups, and a nitrogenous base
Term
omega fat
Definition
type of polyunsaturated fat that is required by the body; the numbering of the carbon omega starts from the methyl end or the end that is farthest from the carboxylic end
Term
peptide bond
Definition
bond formed between two amino acids by a dehydration reaction
Term
phosphodiester
Definition
linkage covalent chemical bond that holds together the polynucleotide chains with a phosphate group linking two pentose sugars of neighboring nucleotides
Term
phospholipid
Definition
major constituent of the membranes; composed of two fatty acids and a phosphatecontaining group attached to a glycerol backbone
Term
polymer
Definition
chain of monomer residues that is linked by covalent bonds; polymerization is the process of polymer formation from monomers by condensation
Term
polynucleotide
Definition
long chain of nucleotides
Term
polypeptide
Definition
long chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
Term
polysaccharide
Definition
long chain of monosaccharides; may be branched or unbranched
Term
primary structure
Definition
linear sequence of amino acids in a protein
Term
protein
Definition
biological macromolecule composed of one or more chains of amino acids
Term
purine
Definition
type of nitrogenous base in DNA and RNA; adenine and guanine are purines
Term
pyrimidine
Definition
type of nitrogenous base in DNA and RNA; cytosine, thymine, and uracil are pyrimidines
Term
quaternary structure
Definition
association of discrete polypeptide subunits in a protein
Term
ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Definition
single-stranded, often internally base paired, molecule that is involved in protein synthesis
Term
ribosomal RNA (rRNA)
Definition
RNA that ensures the proper alignment of the mRNA and the ribosomes during protein synthesis and catalyzes the formation of the peptide linkage
Term
saturated fatty acid
Definition
long-chain of hydrocarbon with single covalent bonds in the carbon chain; the number of hydrogen atoms attached to the carbon skeleton is maximized
Term
secondary structure
Definition
regular structure formed by proteins by intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the oxygen atom of one amino acid residue and the hydrogen attached to the nitrogen atom of another amino acid residue
Term
starch
Definition
storage carbohydrate in plants
Term
steroid
Definition
type of lipid composed of four fused hydrocarbon rings forming a planar structure
Term
tertiary structure
Definition
three-dimensional conformation of a protein, including interactions between secondary structural elements; formed from interactions between amino acid side chains
Term
trans fat
Definition
fat formed artificially by hydrogenating oils, leading to a different arrangement of double bond(s) than those found in naturally occurring lipids
Term
transcription
Definition
process through which messenger RNA forms on a template of DNA
Term
transfer RNA (tRNA)
Definition
RNA that carries activated amino acids to the site of protein synthesis on the ribosome
Term
translation
Definition
process through which RNA directs the formation of protein
Term
triacylglycerol (also, triglyceride)
Definition
fat molecule; consists of three fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule
Term
unsaturated fatty acid
Definition
long-chain hydrocarbon that has one or more double bonds in the hydrocarbon chain
Term
wax
Definition
lipid made of a long-chain fatty acid that is esterified to a long-chain alcohol; serves as a protective coating on some feathers, aquatic mammal fur, and leaves
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