Proteins Flashcards
(23 cards)
What is a protein?
A macromolecule consisting of amino acids arranged in a particular structure that enables it to carry out a specific function in a particular context
What are the 2 overarching types of proteins?
- Structural proteins
- Functional proteins
DNA is composed of what subunit?
Amino acids
Describe the structure of an amino acid
Contain:
- Amine group
- Carboxylic acid group
- ‘R’ group (i.e. variable side chain)
All amino acids are ____
Chiral (except glycine)
What is an aliphatic amino acid?
Amino acid where ‘R’ group consists of hydrocarbon chains
What are some examples of Aliphatic amino acids?
- Glycine
- Alanine
- Valine
- Leucine
- Isoleucine
What are aromatic amino acids?
amino acids where ‘R’ group consists of hydrocarbon RING
What are the 3 examples of aromatic amino acids?
- Phenylalanine
- Tyrosine
- Tryptophan
What are Sulpher containing amino acids?
Amino acids where ‘R’ group contains Sulpher
What are the 2 Sulpher containing amino acids
- Cysteine
- Methionine
What are acidic amino acids?
Amino acids where the ‘R’ side chain is acidic at a neutral pH
What are the 2 acidic amino acids?
- Aspartate
- Glutamate
What are basic Amino acids?
Amino acids where the ‘R’ side chain is basic at a neutral pH
What are the 3 basic amino acids?
- Lysine
- Histidine
- Arginine
What are polar amino acids?
Amino acids where there is a polar group on its ‘R’ chain
What are the 4 polar amino acids?
- Serine
- Threonine
- Asparagine
- Glutamine
What is the 1 miscellaneous amino acid
PROLINE
Describe what is meant by the primary structure of a protein?
First level structure
- The sequence in which amino acid monomers are bonded together to form a polypeptide chain
Describe what is meant by the secondary structure of a protein
the 3D spatial arrangement of amino acids located near each other in the polypeptide chain
Describe what is meant by the tertiary structure of a protein
Results when functional ‘R’ groups chains of amino acids in the polypeptide chain interact with each other. Functional proteins need to be at least this length
Describe what is meant by the quaternary structure of a protein
When several polypeptides interact with one another to form a quaternary structure. - essentially lots of tertiary 3 structures joining up to make one super dooper cool structure
What happens when proteins are denatured?
Their structure and function is lost
