| genetic code |
the rules governing the order in which amino acids are added to a nascent protein as it is being synthesized according to the order of nucleotides in DNA and RNA molecules. |
| gluten |
a protein found in certain cereal grains, esp. wheat, that gives dough an elastic texture. [1/2 definitions] |
| glycoprotein |
a protein that has carbohydrate molecules attached. |
| hard wheat |
wheat that has hard kernels containing a high amount of protein, used to make semolina and pasta; durum. (Cf. soft wheat.) |
| hemoglobin |
the protein in the red blood cells of vertebrates that carries oxygen to the tissues. |
| high-protein |
of a diet or food substance, rich in protein. |
| immunoglobulin |
a protein of the immune system that acts as an antibody. |
| Incaparina |
an inexpensive protein food used esp. in Latin America to prevent diseases caused by protein deficiencies. |
| keratin |
a hard animal protein which is the main constituent of horn, nails, feathers, beaks, and the like. |
| leptin |
a protein hormone made by fat cells that inhibits hunger. |
| ligand |
in biochemistry, a molecule that binds to a target biomolecule, usually a protein. [1/2 definitions] |
| lipoprotein |
any complex or compound containing both protein and lipid. |
| macromolecule |
a very large molecule, such as a polymer or protein molecule, composed of hundreds or thousands of atoms. |
| messenger RNA |
a single-stranded molecule of ribonucleic acid that carries a code from the DNA, where it is synthesized, to the cytoplasm, where it specifies the sequence of amino acids required for protein synthesis. |
| neuropeptide |
a short protein used by neurons to communicate with each other. |
| nucleolus |
a small spherical body in the nucleus of a cell, consisting of protein and RNA. |
| opioid receptor |
any of a group of protein molecules that bind opioids, resulting in an inhibitory response. |
| papain |
an enzyme that digests protein, obtained from the juice of unripe papayas, and used for tenderizing meat and aiding digestion. |
| plastid |
any of several small protoplasmic structures found in the cytoplasm of some plant cells, in which substances such as starch, protein, and pigment are stored. |
| polypeptide |
a condensation of amino acids that forms a protein molecule. |
| polysome |
a cluster of ribosomes along a heavily translated sequence of messenger RNA making protein in a cell; polyribosome. |