BioChem 2 Tutorial

Question 1

Look at structure and function of proteins

Answer 1

Conversation given by lecturer in tutorial in CNM L4 biochem II

Looking at structure and functions of proteins,
structure of genetic material, mutations and role of nutrition

activity of enzymes

processes of energy production and key enzymes and nutrient cofactors as well as mitochondrial damage.

Amino acids are building blocks of proteins
Formed from element Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, Nitrogen.

Nitrogen component distinguishes proteins from fats and carbohydrates.

Question 2

With nitrogen also involved in proteins

Answer 2

N is for nitrogen form part of amino group NH3 Always part of an amino acid
Also each Amino Acid has a carboxyl group
R is side chain gives each amino acid different characteristics

Question 3

a SIDE CHAIN as we will see will give each AA different characteristics, 20 different AA, so 20 different side chains in our bodies.

Answer 3

These are individual units but we can join them together and we join them together, they become peptides. two join together become dibpeptides, 3 are tripeptides etc

Question 4

Glutamate, cysteine and Glycine are an example of a tripeptide - Glutatione. its a powerful anti-oxidant

Answer 4

they roughen up their surface by changing what at either end, to do so they lose 2hydrogen and 1oxygen (H20) - we call that dehydration synthesis. By taking these out, it means they can stick together to form a peptide bond

Question 5

R side chains respond differently in nature, like acidic side chains. Remember pH, it’s all about hydrogen ions, when we measure acid, we measure the amount of hydrogen ions. These acidic side chains can release those hydrogen ions, they dont just release them, it depends on the environment.

Answer 5

AA that have alkaline side chains, can bind to hydrogen ions, they can mop them up. so that releasing of, or binding to hydrogen ions, will change the structure of how AA function. eg., ceviche, lemon juice on raw fish, acidic environment. denatures, go from soft and translucent to firm and opaque to firm and opaque. denatured due to pH interaction. we dont kill bacteria or parasites , it just changes structure and therefore function of amino acids.

Question 6

Amino Acid types - Non-polar amino acids

Answer 6

Sometimes we have more protons in one side of the molecule than at the other side (protons are positively charged)
they’ll be more attracted to the end that has more proteins in the centre which means that end will have more negative charge and the other end will have less negative charge - so that makes a molecule polar, so AA can be polar or non-polar, that doesnt happen when you have an even spread of electrons on the outside.
Non-polar amino acids are hydrophobic, they dont like water. Sometimes we have more molecules on the acidic side than other times. When electrons are whizzing around, that end will have a slightly more negative charge and the other end will have a less negative charge. that makes a molecule polar or nonpolar so AA can be polar or non-polar, depending.

Question 7

polar amino acids

Answer 7

are hydrophylic, dont mind water, go to the outside, that affects the shape that forms. that’s why different AA form different shapes in our body when they join them together

Question 8

Nucleic Acids are largest molecules in body STORE genetic info

Answer 8

DNA and RNA , prob heard of them.
DNA is beautiful spiral structure that we have in every cell in our body, holds our genetic info

both are nucleic acids, made of nucleotides, consist of

phosphate group

a sugar and

a nitrogenous base

2m long, carry pattern or recipe (gene) from one generation to the next.
RNA copies it and completes it into a protein structure
20,000-25000 genes in human genome

Question 9

The nucleotides in DNA have 5-carbon sugar ‘deoxyribose’

Answer 9

DNA has 4possible NUCLEOTIDE BASES
(amino acids)
Adenine (A) - a purine
Cytosine (C) -
Guanine (G) - a purine
Tymine (T)

Question 10

RNA
is a single strand of NUCLEOTIDES - contains the sugar RIBOSE

Answer 10

RNA copies ONLY HALF because of how the copy happens. Called transcription.

unzips it and changes one of the Nucleotides ‘U’ (only get it with RNA), it attracts amino acids to it, happens in ribosomes in the cell. form a peptide, fold up to make a specific shape called translation.

Question 11

Genetics

Answer 11

Telemeres at end of DNA, ageing makes them shorten.
exercise and healthy lifestyle helps lengthen.
When we run out of telemeres, our time runs out so very important

Question 12

Mutation

Answer 12

change in DNA sequence, sometimes different shape with different no protein support.

eg. haemophilia, sickle cell
cancer, chronic stress.

Question 13

Functions of proteins

Answer 13

not just about muscles, proteins have many more functions so when denatured, can affect lots of activities in the body.

sometimes that’s harmful, other times, doesnt matter.

Lock ‘n key mechanism, specific shape so your key can fit it.
Heavy metals can change their shape and interfere with fundamental functions in the body.

Question 14

THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
I’m following the lecturer’s video on CNM L4 tutorial, but only 16m33secs into the tutorial. Feel free to help complete this card deck.

RNA copies subsections of those

Answer 14

translates it into an actual protein structure that then becomes parts of your body.

Question 15

DNA is made of nucleotides X$

Answer 15

A C G T
adenine
cytosine
guanine
thymine

A always to T

C always to G

Question 16

Structure of DNA

Answer 16

twisted ladder than can unzip
DNA on right, red always pairs with yellow

RNA comes along and takes a copy of HALF of that as the pairing happens, it knows what other AA it needs to stick on to that. WHOLE process called TRANSCRIPTION

it changes one of the nucleotides, there is a U in there, that you dont get in DNA, instead of saying ATPA , it say AUGA , then what happens, it goes through a process of attracting AA to it , which happens in the RIBOSOME of cell, join together to join the polypeptide then they fold up to make a specific shape which is then called TRANLATION.

Question 17

DNA is used form chromosomes and at end of chromosome its called

Answer 17

telomeres.

part of the ageing process, can be accelerated, by stress,, poor nutrition, negative thoughts, prevents or slow down the shortening with herbs and nutrients and exercise, sleep and good nutrition and healthy attitude. when we run out of telemeres, they can no longer protect the DNA , they can then deteriorate, thats when DEATH occurs, that’s our time limit. If you lengthen them, you also lengthen cancer telemeres, so try to get them to just work with the healthy cells in body.

Question 18

Mutative gene

Answer 18

produce a protein with a different shape than we want, sickle cell anaemia and haemophilia - good example

Question 19

in cancer, mutations occur due to

Answer 19

chronic stress, radiation, poor nutrition, meds, carcinogenic chemicals. these mutations affect the genes that code for proteins involved in regulating cell division.

Question 20

Gene expression

Answer 20

Cant change our genes, but we can change our gene expression, what our genes are bathed in, environment, lifestyle. eg., liver makes many enzymes involved in breaking down toxins. Epigenetics, various nutrients, A D E Zinc can influence whether or not a gene is copies. If someone has a gene mutation, like MS, the nutrients of VitD will affect if that gene is copied. This is why VitD have found new ways of measuring in blood. Vit D connected to so many illnesses, down to epigenetics.
FIBRE can help aid gut flora, metabolise hormone levels.
JUNK FOOD impact negatively.

Question 21

Mutation - Folate MTHFR needed for converting Folate or B9

Answer 21

process of adding a metal group, involved in various different crucial groups. one of them is metabolising of homocysteine, if doesnt happen, increases heart disease, . AA folded up into different shape, cannot fold up into the shape that’s needed.

If you ever see cereals, fortified with folate, cant convert that form into methylfolate, that can be quite damaging to people. they would at the very least lack that AA, also by liver, to remove toxic metals from body, and also to break down estrogen so breast cancers.

so MTHFR if not functioning properly, make sure to supplement with methylfolate.

Question 22

Enzymes speed up reactions, end in ASE, sometimes end in IN., CAN BE REUSED over and over

Answer 22

in enzyme reactions, molecules at the beginning of process are called SUBSTRATES

Question 23

Enzymes are vital for life. participate in every chemical reaction in body

Answer 23

body temp impacts.
enzymes bind temporarily to the substrate providing alternative pathway. They lower the ACTIVATION ENERGY POINT.

this allows biological reactions happen …

Question 24

How enzymes work is next