The Secret Life of Cells
Week 1: Cells and Biochem
Week 1: Cells and Biochem
Once grouped with bacteria as they lack a nucleus, these microorganisms are now recognized as a separate domain of life and often thrive in extreme environments.
What are Archaea?
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary.
What are the four levels of protein structure?
This small regulatory protein acts like a molecular "tag," marking other proteins for destruction.
What is ubiquitin?
A pairs with T, and G pairs with C. What is this pattern called?
What is complementary base pairing?
It is the process of driving unfavorable reactions by coupling them with favorable ones.
What is reaction coupling in biochemistry?
This complete, three-dimensional shape is formed when a single polypeptide chain folds and packs secondary structures together
What is its tertiary structure?
This value describes the ratio of products to reactants when a reversible chemical reaction is balanced.
What is the Equilibrium Constant (K)
Each new DNA molecule has one old strand and one new strand. What is this model called?
What is semiconservative replication?
They perform various functions, including structure, transport, mobility, catalysis, and signaling.
What role do proteins play in cells?
This refers to the process by which proteins spontaneously organize into functional structures without external guidance.
What is meant by 'self-assembly' in proteins?
Rather than competing for the active site, an inhibitor uses this mechanism to change an enzyme's shape and reduce its activity.
What is negative allostery?
This DNA sequence produces a functional RNA or protein.
What is a gene?
The acquisition of new genes from cells of the same or different species, which can occur through mechanisms such as sexual reproduction.
What is horizontal gene transfer?
They are common secondary structures that contribute to the protein's overall stability and function.
What is the significance of the alpha helix and beta sheets in proteins?
ATP is the phosphate donor used by these enzymes to turn on or off molecular functions.
What are protein kinases?
This DNA-protein material packages DNA and affects gene access.
What is chromatin?
Cell size and transparency, rapid development, ease of obtaining mutants, methods for genetic studies, low maintenance cost, and a known full-genome sequence.
What features make model organisms suitable for genetic studies?
Distinct functional and structural units within a protein that can evolve, function, and exist independently of the rest of the protein.
What are domains in proteins?
As one of the first proto-oncogenes ever identified, this kinase helped launch the field of cancer biology.
What is Src kinase?
This process makes extra gene copies that can change and gain new functions.
What are gene duplication and divergence?