carboxyl terminus (C terminus):
The end of a polypeptide chain that carries a free a-carbonyl
group.
carcinogen:
Agent, such as a chemical or a form of radiation, that causes
cancer.
carcinoma:
Cancer of epithelial cells; the most common form of human cancer.
cardiac muscle:
Specialized form of striated muscle found in the heart, consisting
of individual heart muscle cells linked together by cell junctions.
carrier protein:
Membrane transport protein that binds to a solute and transports
it across the membrane by undergoing a series of conformational
changes.
cartilage:
Form of connective tissue composed of cells (chondrocytes) embedded
in a matrix rich in type II collagen and chondroitin sulfate.
catabolism:
General term for the enzyme-catalyzed reactions in a cell by which
complex molecules are degraded to simpler ones with release of
energy. Intermediates in these reactions are sometimes called
catabolites.
catalyst:
Substance that accelerates a chemical reaction without itself
undergoing a change. Enzymes are protein catalysts.
cdc gene (cell-division-cycle gene):
Gene that controls a specific step or set of steps in the cell
cycle. Originally identified in yeasts.
Cdk protein:
see cyclin-dependent protein
kinase |
