Proteins

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Protein Noun

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[proh-teen]

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Protein

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An organic polymer made of amino acids linked in a specific order, essential for various biological functions.

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Amino acid Noun

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[uh-mee-noh as-id]

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Amino acid

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An organic molecule with an amino group and a carboxyl group, serving as the fundamental building block of proteins.

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Peptide bond Noun

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[pep-tahyd bond]

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Peptide bond

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The chemical amide bond that joins two amino acids together to form a peptide chain during a condensation reaction.

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Condensation reaction Noun

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[kon-den-sey-shuhn ree-ak-shuhn]

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Condensation reaction

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A chemical reaction where two molecules combine to form a larger molecule, with the simultaneous loss of a small molecule.

Front

Dipeptide Noun

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[dahy-pep-tahyd]

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Dipeptide

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A molecule consisting of exactly two amino acids linked together by a single peptide bond.

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Polypeptide Noun

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[pol-ee-pep-tahyd]

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Polypeptide

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A long, continuous, and unbranched chain of ten or more amino acids joined together by peptide bonds.

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Helix Noun

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[hee-liks]

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Helix

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A common secondary protein structure resembling a coil or spiral, stabilized by internal hydrogen bonds along the polypeptide backbone.

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Pleated sheet Noun

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[plee-tid sheet]

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Pleated sheet

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A common secondary protein structure where polypeptide chains fold back and forth, forming a rippled, accordion-like sheet.

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Denaturation Noun

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[dee-ney-cher-ey-shuhn]

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Denaturation

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The process where a protein loses its native three-dimensional structure, often leading to a loss of biological function.

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Enzyme Noun

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[en-zahym]

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Enzyme

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A biological catalyst, typically a protein, that significantly speeds up the rate of specific chemical reactions in cells.