Lecture 2 Flashcards
What are proteins?
Proteins are the workhorses of cells. They are polymers consisting if amino acids joined together by peptide bonds.
What is determined by the specific sequence of amino acids?
How proteins fold into their 3D structures
The function of the resulting protein
Breakdown the structures of proteins?
The building blocks of proteins are amino acids, which fold into local structures called secondary structures, which then form the overall 3D structure which is called a tertiary structure. Multiple proteins may also form a quaternary structure.
What is the central Dogma of Biology?
Describes the flow of genetic` information in cells from DNA to messenger RNA to a protein.
What are monomers?
A molecule that can be bonded to other identical molecules to make a polymer
What structures allow stabilization of tertiary structure
Hydrophobic interactions Disulfide bridge Ionic bonds hydrogen bonds polypeptide backbone
How are proteins made and isolated?
Genes of interest inserted into plasmid - transfection into host cell - protein expansion into host cell - host organism expansion in bioreactor
How to molecules sense and respond to their environment?
Reception - Signalling molecule interacts with a receptor on the cells plasma membrane, transduction - relay molecules in a signal transduction response, Response - activation of cellular response.
What is a dehydration reaction?
removal of water for polymer formation
Formation of peptide chain, growing protein
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
Where water is added to break a bond
Breaking down chains into individual units
How is energy made from food?
Cellular respiration:
fuel molecules + CO2 + H2O produces ATP
What are other ways in which cells can respond to their envirnment?
Glucose levels
Hormones
Receptors on cell surface
