B1.2 Amino Acids And Proteins

Question 1

What is an amino acid composed of?

Answer 1

Amino group, carboxylate group, a carbon and a unique R group

Question 2

Forming and splitting amino acids

Answer 2

Forming - condensation
Splitting - hydrolysis

Question 3

Amino acid diversity

Answer 3

20 different amino acids
Can join in any order with as many different types
Amino acids are joined together in ribosomes in a process called translation.

Question 4

What is a polypeptide?

Answer 4

When more amino acids are added to a dipeptide chain, a polypeptide chain is formed.

Question 5

Primary structure

Answer 5

A polypeptide chain with different amino acids

Question 6

Secondary structure

Answer 6

Refers to the shape of a folding protein due to hydrogen bonding between its backbone amino group and carboxylic acid group.

Question 7

Tertiary structure

Answer 7

Secondary structures fold up to form a very precise three dimensional structure. This is due to bonding between R-groups.

Question 8

What is a hydrogen bond?

Answer 8

A weak bond between two molecules between a negative and a positive charge.

Question 9

Van der Waal forces (London forces)

Answer 9

Weak electrostatic forces that attract neutral molecules to one another