Proteins Flashcards
(47 cards)
Why are proteins needed in our body?
For cell growth/repair, Structural role, help metabolic processes
What roles do proteins have in metabolic processes?
Proteins can form antibodies, enzymes and hormones
Where do proteins have a structural role?
In cytoplasm and muscle, collagen and elastin in the skin, collagen in bone, keratin in hair
What are proteins (and amino acids) made of?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen
What is the building block of a protein?
An a amino acid, small monomers (amino acids) join together to form a protein
What is important about the sequence of amino acids in a protein?
It determines the type and function of the protein formed
What 2 groups do all amino acids have?
An amino group, a carboxyl group
What are the two groups in an amino acids attached by?
Centrally, a carbon atom, carrying a hydrogen one side and an R group the other
What is the formula for an amino group?
NH2
What is the formula for a carboxyl group?
COOH (the carbon is double bonded to one of the oxygen)
What is an R group?
A side chain, acts as a functional group and helps determine internal bonds/function/shape (Residual group)
What is a dipeptide?
2 amino acids joined together
What is a polypeptide?
Multiple amino acids joined together (a polymer of amino acids)
How do two amino acids join to form a dipeptide?
Joined by a condensation reaction (1 H2O molecules is lost)
What bond forms between 2 amino acids?
A peptide bond
How can a peptide bond be broken/ 2 amino acids un-attatch?
Hydrolisis (using 1 H2O molecule)
What atoms are involved in forming the peptide bond between two amino acids?
The OH of one of the amino acids COOH group, and one of the H’s of the other amino acids amino group (providing the H2O molecule which is lost)
What is the primary structure of a protein?
The sequence, type and number of amino acids in the amino acid chain
What is the secondary structure of a protein?
After primary structure, the chain takes a particular shape and either folds or coils
What determines weather the protein folds or coils (in its secondary structure) ?
The order of amino acids determines the bonds that form and where they form between certain amino acids in the chain
What are the 2 forms of secondary folding?
An Alpha helix and a beta pleated sheet
How is the alpha helix held in place?
Hydrogen bonds between amino acids in one part of the chain and those a little further along the chain
How is the beta pleated sheet held in place?
It folds in a fan style way (diagonal up, diagonal down) Hydrogen bonds connect adjacent pleated sheets above and below one another
What is the tertiary structure of a protein?
The three-dimensional shape of the protein, further coiling and twisting after the secondary structure
