Biological Molecules - Proteins (2.1.2) Flashcards Preview

A-Level Year 1 & AS Biology OCR A > Biological Molecules - Proteins (2.1.2) > Flashcards

Flashcards in Biological Molecules - Proteins (2.1.2) Deck (20)
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1
Q

Explain the general structure of an amino acid?

A

A carboxyl group (-COOH) and an amino group (-H2N) attached to a carbon atom.

2
Q

What differentiates amino acids?

A

R Group (Variable)

3
Q

Why do polypeptide chains not remain flat and straight?

A

The -NH and -CO groups are polar.

Hydrogen bonds form between different amino acids in the chain.

4
Q

Explain how a disulfide bond is formed.

A

When two molecules of the amino acid cysteine come close together the sulfur atom in one cysteine bonds to the sulfur atom in the other cysteine.

5
Q

Explain quaternary structure.

A

Some proteins are made of different polypeptide chains held together.

The quaternary structure is the way these polypeptide chains are assembled together.

6
Q

Give three examples of fibrous proteins.

A

Collagen

Keratin

Elastin

7
Q

Provide three pieces of information about Haemoglobin.

A

Carries oxygen around the body.

Conjugated with a prosthetic group called Haem.

Haem contains iron which Oxygen binds to.

8
Q

What is the role of insulin?

A

Regulate blood glucose level.

9
Q

Where is collagen found?

A

Animal connective tissues (bone, skin and muscle).

10
Q

Where is keratin found?

A

External structures of animals (skin, hair, nails, feathers and horns).

11
Q

Where is Elastin found?

A

Elastic connective tissue (skin, large blood vessels, some ligaments)

12
Q

Describe the structure of Hemoglobin.

A

Protein with a non-protein group attached.

The non-protein group is called a prosthetic group.

A haem group contains iron which oxygen binds to.

13
Q

Describe the structure of insulin.

A

Two polypeptide chains held together by disulfide bonds.

When they are in the pancreas, six of the molecules bind together to form a large globular structure.

14
Q

Describe the structure of amylase

A

A single chain of amino acids.

Its secondary structure contains both halpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet sections.

15
Q

Draw the chemical structure of the hydrogen bonds in a protein’s secondary structure.

A
16
Q

What effect does heating have on proteins?

A

A high temperature will break the ionic, hydrogen, and hydrophilic/hydrophilic bonds.

The protein’s 3D structure will change shape.

17
Q

What property of globular proteins makes them suitable for their roles.

A

Soluble owing to the hydrophilic/hydrophobic interactions.

Easily transported around the body.

18
Q

What are the three properties of fibrous proteins and what sort of proteins could they be described as?

A

Insoluble

Strong

Fairly unreactive

Structural proteins

19
Q

What are the two steps in testing for proteins?

A

Add a few drops of sodium hydroxide to make the solution alkaline.

Add some copper(II) sulphate solution.

20
Q

What does a negative and positive Biuret test look like?

A

Positive - Purple

Negative - Blue (no change)