Ch 3 Biochemistry 3-2: Proteins Flashcards
What are proteins?
organic compounds composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
What are the functions of proteins?
- structural part of muscle cells
- defense (immune system)
- act as a catalyst/enzyme in nearly every metabolic reaction in our bodies
What are proteins made up of?
amino acids
What determines the function of a protein and the way it will be folded into it’s 3-D shape?
sequence of amino acids
How many different amino acids are there?
20
What are the components of an amino acid?
a central carbon atom with four covalently bonded components, two functional groups that are the same for all 20 amino acids, a hydrogen atom, and the R group.
What the the two functional groups of an amino acid?
amino group, NH2, and carboxyl group, COOH
What gives each amino acid its unique characteristics?
the R group
How many of the amino acids can the human produce?
11
What are the other nine amino acids not produced called?
essential amino acids and they must be acquired from food
What is a dipeptide?
two amino acids that are joined by peptide bonds
What is a polypeptide?
a long chain of amino acids
What are enzymes?
proteins that act as biological catalysts which speed up chemical reactions
What does the unique shape of an enzyme do?
they bind to specific substrates (reactants) allowing the chemical reaction to occur by lowering the activation energy
What is the location of the enzyme where the substrates bind called?
the active site
