Amino Acids Flashcards
In what way do amino acid structures differ?
Their R groups
How are amino acids classified?
By their R groups: basic (positively charged); acidic (negatively charged); polar; hydrophobic.
What does the diversity of R groups result in?
The wide range of functions carried out by proteins.
What are disulphide bridges?
Covalent bonds between R groups containing sulphur.
What does Ligand binding do?
Change the conformation of a protein.
What is a Ligand?
A substance which can bind to a protein.
What can R groups that are not involved in folding do?
Allow binding to ligands.
What do binding sites have?
Complementary shape and chemistry to the ligand.
What happens to the protein as the ligand binds to the binding site?
Its conformation changes.
What effect does a change in conformation have?
It causes a functional change in the protein.
What can the removal of a phosphate result in?
A reversible conformational change.
What is the function of protein kinases?
Phosphorylation.
What happens to the terminal phosphate of ATP?
It is transferred to specific R groups.
What is the function of phosphatases?
Dephosphorylation.
What does phosphorylation bring about?
A conformational change.
