Amino Acids and proteins Flashcards
What are the most abundant class of biomolecules?
Macromolecules
What is the difference between amino acids and carbohydrates?
They both contain hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, but the amino acid has an anime group attached to it.
How many amino acid types are there?
20
How many can the body actually make amino acids naturally?
6-8
How do amino acids bond to become polypeptides?
hydrolysis or dehydration.
What is the hierarchy of protein structures?
Primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary.
What are the 4 different stages of protein structure?
Primary structure is typically just the linear shape of an amino acid. Secondary structure is the localised folding of the protein. Tertiary structure is the 3D shape of the amino acids and its interaction with the functional groups attached to them. Quaternary structure is the combination of two or more polypeptide chains.
What is post-transitional modification?
It is the variety of different methods before complete translation, in order for the protein to change its function and characteristics.
What are some of the modifications involved in post-transitional modification?
methylation, acetylation
ubiquitination, glycosylation, lipidation, phosphorylation, hydroxylation and cleavage by proteases.
What does it mean for a compound to be zwitterionic?
A compound that contains two functional groups.
