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Life Sciences > Amino Acids and Proteins > Flashcards

Amino Acids and Proteins Flashcards

1
Q

What are amino acids?

A

The basic structural units (molecules) of proteins

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2
Q

What is the basic structure of an amino acid?

A

An amino group
A carboxylic group
A distinctive R (side) chain
All bonded to a carbon atom

The R-group side chain defines which amino acid is which

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3
Q

How are amino acids classified?

A

Amino acids can be classified as:

  • Essential
  • Conditionally essential
  • Nonessential

These classifications directly relate to whether or not an amino acid is synthesised by the body or taken from an outside source.

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4
Q

What are the qualities of essential amino acids?

A
  • They are not synthesised by the body

- Sourced from diet eg eggs, meats, legumes, and beans

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5
Q

What are the qualities of conditionally essential amino acids?

A

Produced / synthesised by the body, except in times of illness or stress

-Backbone sourced form carbohydrates and fats, nitrogen sourced from other proteins

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6
Q

What are the characteristics of nonessential amino acids?

A

Produced / synthesised entirely by the body

Backbone sourced form carbohydrates and fats, nitrogen sourced from other proteins

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7
Q

What are peptides and how are they classified?

A

Short strings of 2 - 50 amino acids

Classified by the number of amino acids in a chain

  • Dipeptide (2 amino acids)
  • Tripeptide (3 amino acids)
  • Polypeptides (More than 10 amino acids)
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8
Q

What are peptide bonds?

A

Peptide bonds link amino acids to form polypeptide chains

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9
Q

What are mutations of genetic code and what kinds are there?

A

Malfunctioning or absence or protein

Point mutations = silent, nonsense, and missense

Frame shift mutations = insertion/deletion of a number of bases that is NOT a multiple of three

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10
Q

What is a protein?

A

Molecules that consist of more than 50 amino acids and one or more polypeptide chain

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11
Q

What are signs of amino acid deficiency?

A 
Loss of muscle mass
Blood sugar fluctuation
Weight gain
Fatigue
Frequent infection
Hair loss
Anxiety
Depression
Slow wound healing
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12
Q

What is the central dogma / the flow of genetic information?

A

Replication of DNA
Transcription to mRNA
Translation to protein made of amino acids

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13
Q

What are the components of translation?

A 
mRNA
Amino acids
tRNA (adpater molecules)
Ribosomes (action stations)
Enzymes and energy
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14
Q

How is RNA written to reflect a protein?

A 
Initiation = start codon AUG
Elongation = addition of amino acids by peptide bonds
Termination = stop codon UAA, UAG, UGA
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15
Q

What are the four levels of protein stucture?

A

Primary structure
Secondary structure
Tertiary structure
Quaternary structure

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16
Q

What is a protein’s primary structure?

A

A defined sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide

17
Q

What is a protein’s secondary structure?

A

Regular, recognisable conformations observed in the polypeptide such as an alpha-helix

18
Q

What is a protein’s tertiary structure?

A

Three dimensional structure of entire folded protein

Polypeptide chain

19
Q

What is a protein’s quaternary structure?

A

Assembled subunits into a protein complex

Only in proteins with more than 1 polypeptide chain

20
Q

What is denaturation?

A

Any alteration / mild disruption in the sturcture that changes the biological, chemical, and physical properties of the protein

Primary structure remains unchanged by denaturation

21
Q

What is the difference in the functions of enzymes and hormones?

A

Enzymes speed up reactions in the body eg digestive enzymes

Hormones direct specific activities such as regulating blood glucose levels (insulin)

22
Q

What are the functions of antibodies?

A

Involved in immune system to defend the body from antigens

23
Q

How do proteins provide structural and mechancial support?

A

Provide strength and flexibility to body tissues essential for the ongoing maintenance of the body

24
Q

How do proteins affect carriers and transport nutrients?

A

Shuttle substances such as oxygen, nutrients, and waste products through the blood and out of cells

25
Q

How do proteins help with fluid balance?

A

Ensure that body fluids are evenly dispersed in the blood and inside / outside cells

26
Q

How do proteins help with acid base balance?

A

Acts as buffers to help keep the pH of body fluids wihtin a tight range

27
Q

What is the function of proteins regarding energy?

A

Provides calories, can be used as energy when necessary

28
Q

What are the specialised roles of amino acids?

A
  1. Chemical messengers (neurotransmitters)
  2. Potent local mediator of allergic reactions eg histamine
  3. Thyroid hormone
  4. Intermediates in various metabolic processes

Life Sciences (28 decks)

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