2.c.i. Amino Acid Structure Determines Protein Structure

Question 1

what are proteins?

Answer 1

polymers of Amino Acid monomers

Question 2

name the bond which links amino acids

Answer 2

peptide bond

Question 3

what feature allows amino acids to be classified into different groups?

Answer 3

R group

Question 4

name 4 classes of R group

Answer 4

basic/positively charged, acidic/negatively charged (carboxylic acid group), polar (hydrophyllic polar groups), non-polar (hydrophobic non-polar groups)

Question 5

explain the benefit derived from the wide range of R groups

Answer 5

causes the wide range of protein functions

Question 6

describe primary structure

Answer 6

the primary structure of proteins is the order in which amino acids are synthesised into a polypeptide chain. the primary sequence is built during translation but is determined by the genetic code in the DNA

Question 7

describe secondary structure

Answer 7

secondary structure is stabilised by hydrogen bonds along the backbone of the polypeptide strand whcih exist between different peptide bonds in the chain. causing the peptide chain to fold

Question 8

describe the three types of secondary structure

Answer 8

alpha-helix - a spiral with the R-groups sticking outwards, beta-helix - has parts of the chain running alongside each other forming a sheet. the R groups sit above and below the sheet