7- Amino acids, proteins and enzymes

Question 1

what are proteins?

Answer 1

Proteins are polymers of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

Question 2

what are amino acids (AA)?

Answer 2

building blocks for proteins

organic compounds that contain, amino group, carboxyl group and a variable side chain (linked by a peptide bond)

Question 3

what is protein synthesis?

Answer 3

the interaction between the carboxyl group of one amino acid with the amino group of another amino acid which forms a peptide bond between amino acids

Question 4

what are enzymes?

Answer 4

Enzymes are proteins and have all the physical properties of proteins.

The primary structure determines how the enzyme will fold in terms of secondary and tertiary structures. It also means that enzymes, like all other proteins, can be inactivated and denatured

Question 5

what is an amino acid made up of?

Answer 5

H2N (Amino group)
COOH (Carboxyl group)
A single hydrogen (H)
Side chain or R (variable group, this can change depending on the amino acid)

Question 6

true or false:

amino acids can both donate H (acidic) and accept H (basic)

Answer 6

true

Question 7

what is an internal acid base reaction?

Answer 7

when the movement of H+ occurs on the same amino acid.

For example, H+ moves from the carboxyl group to the amino group. (produces zwitterion)

Question 8

9 essential amino acids?

Answer 8

histidine
isoleucine
leucine
lysine
methionine
phenylalanine
threonine
tryptophan
valine

Question 9

another name for peptide bond?

Answer 9

amide bond

Question 10

what is the primary structure of proteins?

Answer 10

Primary structure is the sequence of​ amino acids in a protein chain​ (via peptide bonds)

Question 11

what is the secondary structure of proteins?

Answer 11

Secondary structure is the arrangement of the primary protein structure in space (via hydrogen bonds)

• alpha helix (spiral)
• beta pleated sheet (flat with u turns)

Question 12

what is the tertiary structure of proteins?

Answer 12

Tertiary protein structure is formed by interactions between the side chains (R groups) of the amino acids within a protein​.

• disulphide bonds
• electrostatic interactions
• hydrogen bonds
• hydrophobic interactions

Question 13

what is the quarternary structure of proteins?

Answer 13

Quaternary structure of proteins​ is the highest level of protein organisation. Is the combination of two or more tertiary units and they are stabilised by the same interactions found in tertiary structures.

• electrostatic interactions
• hydrogen bonds
• hydrophobic interactions​

Question 14

what is protein denaturation?

Answer 14

Protein denaturation involves disruption of the protein’s characteristic 3D quaternary, tertiary and secondary structures​ while the primary structure is not affected.