Amino Acids - The Monomers Of Proteins Flashcards
What are the functions of proteins?
Proteins functions are; structural components, active transport/facilitated diffusion, enzymes, hormones and antibodies.
What are the monomers of proteins?
Amino acids are monomers of proteins, which are polymers.
What do all amino acids have?
All amino acids have an amino group at one end, and an acid group at the other.
How many different types of amino acid are there?
21 different types of amino acid, separated by an ‘R’ group.
What characteristics may the R group have?
R groups may be positively or negatively charged; hydrophilic or hydrophobic etc.
How can plants make amino acids?
Plants can make amino acids from nitrate in the soil. Nitrate is converted to amino groups.
How do animals make proteins?
Animals make proteins in their diet. Take them in, digested into amino acids, built from amino acids.
What are essential amino acids?
‘Essential amino acids’ (8-10 of them) cannot be built form materials taken in the body. Mostly found in meat.
Why can amino acids not be stored, and what happens to them?
Amino group means amino acids are toxic so they cannot be stored in animals. They’re removed in the process of deaminaton - done in the liver, remove in urea as urine.
What reaction bonds amino acids?
Condensation reaction between the acid group and amino group of another forms a covalent bond between two amino acids - a water molecule is produced.
What is the bond between amino acids?
Bond is a peptide bond - molecule produced is a dipeptide. It can be broken by hydrolysis.
