Busy. Please wait.
Log in with Clever
or

show password
Forgot Password?

Don't have an account?  Sign up 
Sign up using Clever
or

Username is available taken
show password


Make sure to remember your password. If you forget it there is no way for StudyStack to send you a reset link. You would need to create a new account.
Your email address is only used to allow you to reset your password. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.


Already a StudyStack user? Log In

Reset Password
Enter the associated with your account, and we'll email you a link to reset your password.

BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES

Quiz yourself by thinking what should be in each of the black spaces below before clicking on it to display the answer.
        Help!  

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


   

Review the information in the table. When you are ready to quiz yourself you can hide individual columns or the entire table. Then you can click on the empty cells to reveal the answer. Try to recall what will be displayed before clicking the empty cell.
 
To hide a column, click on the column name.
 
To hide the entire table, click on the "Hide All" button.
 
You may also shuffle the rows of the table by clicking on the "Shuffle" button.
 
Or sort by any of the columns using the down arrow next to any column heading.
If you know all the data on any row, you can temporarily remove it by tapping the trash can to the right of the row.

 
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.

  Normal Size     Small Size show me how
Created by: v_saldi
Popular Biology sets