1.2.3 Protein structure Flashcards
What basic units are all proteins made up of?
All proteins are made up of the same basic units, amino acids
How many types of amino acid are there?
There are 20 types of amino acids
How many types of amino acids can plants make?
Plants can make all of the different types of amino acid.
How do animals obtain all the necessary amino acids?
Animals can only make some of the amino acids, obtaining others through diet
What are amino acids obtained through diet known as?
Amino acids that have to be obtained through diet are known as essential amino acids
What are the three building blocks of amino acids?
- Amine group, -NH2- Carboxylic acid group, -COOH- Hydrogen, -H
What do we call the side chain that differs between amino acids?
Each type of amino acid has a different side chain, called a residule (R) group
How does the primary structure of a protein occur?
Amino acids join in a condensation reaction to form a polypeptide chain
How does the secondary structure occur?
Interactions between amino acids cause the chain to twist and fold into a 3D shape.
What two types of structure are there for the secondary structure?
a-helices and B-pleated sheets
How does the secondary structure stay together?
Hydrogen bonds form between C=O and the NH
How does the tertiary structure occur?
Chemical bonds and hydrophobic reactions between R groups maintain the final tertiary structure. Polar R groups attract other polar molecules, making them hydrophilic
What is the quaternary structure made up of?
Made up of several polypeptide chains held together
What is an example of a quaternary structure?
An example is haemoglobin, made up of four polypeptide chains
What are globular proteins?
Polypeptide chains folded into a compact spherical shape. These proteins are soluble due to the hydrophillic chains.
