Amino Acids Flashcards
explain the structure of an amino acid
amino acids are made up of a central carbon with an amine group (H₂N), a carboxyl group (COOH) and an R group (also known as a variable group).
the R group determines which amino acid it will be.
define the term monomer and understand that the monomer of all proteins is the amino acid
a monomer is a molecule of any of a class of compounds, mostly organic, that can react with other molecules to form very large molecules, or polymers
The monomer (building block) of all proteins is the amino acid
explain that amino acids are joined together at the ribosome during translation and the bond that holds them together is the peptide bond
during translation each amino acid is brought into place by their own tRNA. the process of which they are joined together is that a hydroxyl group of broken off of the carboxyl group of one amino acid and a hydrogen is broken off of the amine group of another amino acid. the amino acid residues then join together in a covalent bond called a peptide bond.
explain the function of the R group on an amino acid
the R group is the structural factor that makes every amino acid unique, through giving them specific features, like size, polarity and pH level
explain the importance of the proteome and list some examples of the functions of proteins
the proteome is significant because it is the total production of proteins by a cell, which scientists study to observe how proteins interact with each other.
functions of proteins include»_space; movement & carrier molecules
list the four levels of protein structure
primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary
explain how the hierarchical level of protein structure gives rise to a functional protein
each level of the protein structure hierarchy has its own qualities that are introduced to the protein and after each hierarchical stage is applied, the protein will be in its full form.
outline the significance of a proteins 3D functional shape in terms of structure allowing for specific function
the 3D shape is formed during the tertiary stage and in terms of enzymes, it is the formation of the active site. The significance behind the 3D functional shape of a protein in terms of allowing for specific function is that it allows for an enzyme to bind to its specific substrate
link the importance of the R group to the way a protein folds
the unique chemical nature that the R group gives the amino acid for example, polar or non-polar will determine how the polypeptide is arranged
