2.2 - Why is CF Mucus so Sticky? Flashcards
Why is CF mucus sticky?
It has reduced water content due to abnormal salt and water transport across cell surface membranes, caused by a faulty transport protein channel in the membrane.
What are some functions of proteins?
- Antibodies
- Enzymes
- Hormones
What are the basic units making up proteins?
Amino acids
What are the amino acids called that animals must obtain through their diets?
Essential amino acids
What is the common structure of an amino acid?
A central carbon atom is bonded to an amine group (-NH2), a carboxylic acid group (-COOH), a hydrogen group (-H) and a residual group (-R).
What defines an amino acid?
Each amino acid has a different R group
Define primary structure in proteins
Two amino acids join in condensation to form a dipeptide, held together by a peptide bond. This is repeated to form polypeptide chains. This sequence is known as the primary structure.
What causes further structures beyond primary to form?
Interactions between amino acids in the chain cause it to twist and fold into a 3-D shape.
What is an a-helix?
The chain of amino acids can twist to form a helix. Hydrogen bonds form between the slightly negative C=O of the carboxylic acid and the slightly positive -NH of the amine group which lie above and below each other, holding the structure together.
How long can an a-helix be?
Around 35 amino acids
What is a B-pleated sheet?
The chain can fold back on itself and several lengths of the chain (up to around 15 acids) may link together with hydrogen bonds to hold the parallel chains together in a pleated arrangement
Why is a B-pleated sheet strong even though hydrogen bonds are quite weak?
The cumulative effects of many bonds makes the structure quite stable
In an a-helix, how often is there a bond?
Every 4 amino acids
What determines a tertiary structure?
Chemical bonds and hydrophobic interactions between R-groups
When is an R-group polar?
When the sharing of electrons is not quite even
What to polar R-groups do to the structure?
They attract other polar molecules such as water and are hydrophilic.
What property do non polar R-groups have?
They are hydrophobic
How is a protein arranged in the tertiary structure?
Non-polar and hydrophobic R-groups are forced inwards and exclude water from the centre of the molecule. R-groups also form between nearby amino acids.
What is an example of an R-group bond?
A disulphide bond between two cysteine (SH) R-groups
How do ionic bonds form in proteins?
Between positively and negatively charged R-groups
What are disulphide and ionic bonds sensitive to?
Changes in pH
What is a quaternary structure?
Some proteins are made up of several polypeptide chains held together. For example, haemoglobin is made up of four.
What are conjugated proteins?
Proteins that have another chemical group associated with their chains.
What are the two different types of protein?
Globular and fibrous
What is a globular protein?
It is folded into a compact spherical shape
Why are globular proteins soluble?
They have hydrophilic side chains that project from the outside.
What are globular proteins important for?
They are important in metabolic reactions and forming enzyme-substrate complexes and catalysing reactions in cells.
What are three examples of globular proteins?
- Transport proteins in membranes
- Haemoglobin and Myoglobin
- Antibodies
What are fibrous proteins?
They do not form a ball but remain as long chains.
What gives chains in fibrous proteins their strength?
Crosslinks