7.1 Study Guide

Question 1

What are the similarities and differences in amino acid structure?

Answer 1

All amino acids have amino and carboxyl groups. However, the side chains on amino acids can vary, giving the amino acid different properties.

Question 2

What are the four levels of protein structure?

Answer 2

1. Primary
2. Secondary
3. Tertiary
4. Quaternary

Question 3

What happens during protein denaturization?

Answer 3

The protein structure is disrupted because the hydrogen and ionic bonds are disrupted. This results in the structure unfolding and flattening out.

Question 4

How is tertiary structure formed by interactions between hydrophobic side chains, acidic and basic side chains, hydrophilic side chains, and cysteine side chains?

Answer 4

Hydrophobic: These side chains clump towards the middle of a protein because they repel water.
Acidic and basic: These negative and positive side chains attract each other and form ionic bonds.
Hydrophilic side chains: These side chains attract each other and form hydrogen bonds on the outside of proteins.
Cysteines: Two cysteines bond to form disulfide covalent bonds

Question 5

What are some examples of protein types and functions:

Answer 5

Enzymes: Catalyze chemical reactions and cut and join the molecules of life
Antibodies: Engage in constant battle in the bloodstream
Infrastructure: Support and move cells
Hormones: carry molecular messages through the blood
Pumps, channels, and receptors: Help particles and proteins get back and forth across the membrane

Question 6

Why and how would the structure and function of a protein change if a hydrophobic amino acid was substituted for a hydrophilic one?

Answer 6

The structure and function of a protein would change because hydrophobic side chains attract each other and clump towards the inside of a protein, while hydrophilic side chains attract each other and fold towards the outside of a protein. The structure would change because the hydrophobic amino acid would cause the amino acid to fold towards the inside of the protein, instead of folding towards the outside. This substitution would also change the function of the protein because the structure of a protein directly affects its function.

Question 7

How are the effects and results of protein denaturation different from the effect and results of a mutation?

Answer 7

Both denaturation and mutations change the shape and structure of proteins. Both denaturation and mutations affect the function of proteins. However, denaturation only affects the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary levels of protein structure. Mutations change the primary structure of a protein, which leads to continuing effects on the other levels of protein structure.

Question 8

Structures at this level are similar throughout proteins?

Answer 8

Secondary Structure