Amino Acids

Question 1

Polypeptides (proteins)

Answer 1

Proteins are polymers of amino acid monomers

Question 2

Amino Acid Sequence

Answer 2

Amino acid sequence determines protein structure

Question 3

Peptide Bonds

Answer 3

Amino acids are linked by peptide bonds to form polypeptides

Question 4

R Groups

Answer 4

Amino acids have the same basic structure, differing only in the R group present

R groups of amino acids vary in size, shape, charge, hydrogen bonding capacity and chemical reactivity.

Amino acids are classified according to their R groups: basic (-NH2 positively charged); acidic (-COOH negatively charged); polar (-OH) ; hydrophobic (Hydrocarbon)

The wide range of functions carried out by proteins results from the diversity of R groups

Question 5

Linking Amino Acids

Answer 5

Amino acid monomers are linked together during translation at the ribosome. An enzyme causes a condensation reaction between two amino acids. The bond that links amino acids is called a peptide bond.

Because they are all linked by peptide bonds, a chain of amino acids is called a polypeptide,

The order in which the amino acids are synthesised into a polypeptide chain is called the primary structure.