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BB1702 Biochemistry: Structure and Function > Proteins-1 > Flashcards

Flashcards in Proteins-1 Deck (27)
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0
Q

What does an α-amino acid consist of?

A

A central carbon atom (α) linked to an amino group, carboxylic acid group, a hydrogen atom, and an R group.

1
Q

What are some of the crucial functions in biological processes carried out by proteins?

A

Transport, cell-signalling, metabolic enzymes, structural support

2
Q

As there are ____ different groups connected to the central carbon atom in an amino acid, it is _____.

A

As there are four different groups connected to the central carbon atom in an amino acid, it is chiral.

3
Q

What isomer of amino acids are found in proteins?

A

L amino acids

4
Q

Define zwitterion

A

An amino acid that has a net neutral charge

5
Q

What type of bond links two amino acids together?

A

A peptide bond

6
Q

What structure is formed when two amino acids join together?

A

A dipeptide

7
Q

What is each amino acid unit called?

A

A residue

8
Q

A sequence of amino acids is written starting at which terminal?

A

The amino-terminal (N-) residue

9
Q

What causes restriction in residue rotation in a polypeptide chain?

A

Electrons in the C=O bond in the peptide linkage delocalise and are shared with the nitrogen atom. This causes restricted rotation.

10
Q

What are the two configurations that a polypeptide can contain?

A

Cis and Trans

11
Q

What spatial configuration is preferred in a polypeptide?

A

Trans. This is due to there being steric clashes in the cis formation. The exception is when there is a proline residue, then it prefers the cis configuration.

12
Q

What is the angle between the central carbon and the nitrogen atom in a residue?

A

Phi (φ)

13
Q

What is the angle between the central carbon and the carboxylic acid carbon in a residue?

A

Psi (ψ)

14
Q

What is a ramachandran plot?

A

A plot showing the likelihood of the combination of φ and ψ angles in proteins

15
Q

Define protein

A

Proteins are linear polymers built of monomer units called amino acids, which are linked end to end.

16
Q

What are some of the functional groups that a protein can contain?

A
  • Alcohols
  • Thiols
  • Thioesters
  • Carboxylic acids
  • Carboxamindes
  • Basic groups
17
Q

What is the hydrophobic effect?

A

The tendency of hydrophobic groups to come together

18
Q

The polypeptide backbone is rich in hydrogen-bonding potential. Each reisue contains a ________ group (C=O), which is a good hydrogen-bond _________, and an __ group which is a good hydrogen-bond _____ (except proline).

A

The polypeptide backbone is rich in hydrogen-bonding potential. Each reisue contains a carbonyl group (C=O), which is a good hydrogen-bond acceptor, and an NH group which is a good hydrogen-bond donor ​(except proline).

19
Q

What is the equivalent molecular weight of 1 dalton?

A

1 g mol-1

20
Q

In some proteins, the linear polypeptide chain is cross-linked. The most common cross-links are ___________ _____, formed by the oxidation of a pair of ________ residues. The resulting unit of two linked _________ is called _______.

A

In some proteins, the linear polypeptide chain is cross-linked. The most common cross-links are disulphide bonds, formed by the oxidation of a pair of cysteine residues. The resulting unit of two linked cysteines is called cystine​.

21
Q

The amino acid sequence of a protein is referred to as its _______ _________.

A

The amino acid sequence of a protein is referred to as its primary structure​.

22
Q

Why is it important to know the amino acid sequence of a protein?

A
  1. Essential for finding its mechanism of action
  2. To determine its 3D structure
  3. Medical reasons- relation to disease
  4. Reveals evolutionary history
23
Q

Why is rotation restrained around the backbone of a peptide bond linking two amino acids?

A

The bond resonates between a single and a double bond

24
Q

Define steric exclusion

A

The fact that two atoms cannot be in the same place at the same time

25
Q

Describe the bonds that keep the structure of an α-helix

A

Hydrogen bonds form between the CO and NH groups in the backbone of the polypeptide that are four residues apart. These bonds run parallel to the length of the helix.

26
Q
A