Protein Poetry
When amino acids link up tight,
They form this bond, strong and right.
It holds them close, from end to end,
What’s this bond? Don’t just pretend!
What is a peptide bond?
This process describes molecules spreading out from an area of high concentration to an area of low concentration, like perfume filling a room.
What is diffusion?
You’ll find this prefix in the name of a classic board game about owning it all—it means “one,”
What is mono-?
These proteins act like cellular security guards, receiving chemical messages like hormones and triggering a response inside the cell.
What is receptor proteins?
Like Taylor Swift sings in "You Belong With Me", this red protein in your blood is always saying, “I can carry you”—especially when it comes to oxygen!
What is hemoglobin?
Two or more chains join the game,
Working together, not the same.
Hemoglobin’s built this way,
What’s this structure? Shout and say!
What is quaternary structure?
This molecule is known as the "energy currency" of the cell, fueling active transport and other cellular processes.
What is ATP?
If you like options, this prefix has got you covered—it means “many” and pops up in science, words, and shapes
What is poly?
These proteins form tunnels in the cell membrane, allowing specific molecules or ions to pass through without using energy.
What are channel proteins?
If Kanye West wrote a song about this organelle, he might call it "Stronger", because it’s the powerhouse of the cell!
What is the mitochondrion?
Folds and twists, so neat and tight,
Helices spiral, sheets lie right.
It’s held by bonds, hydrogen’s key,
This structure’s next—what could it be?
What is secondary structure?
This type of diffusion involves water moving across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to a higher one.
What is osmosis?
If a protein’s job is to speed up a chemical reaction, chances are its name ends with this suffix
What is ase?
These proteins have carbohydrate chains attached, helping cells recognize each other—kind of like a molecular name tag!
What are glycoproteins?
Just like the Backstreet Boys sing, “I want it that way,” this cell structure decides what enters and leaves, keeping things just the way the cell likes it.
What is the cell membrane?
Now it folds in 3D space,
Hydrophobic parts embrace.
Disulfide bridges hold it tight,
What structure makes the shape just right?
What is tertiary structure?
Unlike passive transport, this process requires energy to move molecules against their concentration gradient.
What is active transport?
This prefix means "to bind" or "to tie," making it a perfect fit for bones to attach to or enzymes that help glue DNA strands together!
What is lig-?
These specialized channel proteins open and close in response to electrical signals, playing a key role in nerve impulses.
What are voltage-gated channels?
DNA changes over generations, leading to evolution—so David Bowie might say this about life’s constant transformation!
What is a changes?
Amino acids, one by one,
Link together—it’s just begun!
This structure’s first, it’s like a chain,
Changing order brings some pain.
What is primary structure?
This type of transport moves molecules without using energy, allowing substances to flow down their concentration gradient.
What is passive transport?
This prefix is found in the name of microscopic organisms that can be helpful, harmful, or just hanging out—some even live in your gut! It means rod or staff.
What is bact-?
Unlike peripheral proteins, these proteins are embedded deep within the membrane and span across it, helping with transport and signaling.
What are integral proteins?
Your DNA holds the instructions for building you—so George Harrison might ask this deep biological question!
What is “What Is Life”?