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NBEO Part 1 > Biochemistry > Flashcards

Biochemistry Flashcards

1
Q

What are the building blocks of proteins?

A

Amino acids

There are roughly 20 amino acids that serve as the building blocks of proteins.

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2
Q

How many amino acids are typically found in human proteins?

A

Roughly 20

These amino acids are used in human peptides and proteins.

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3
Q

What are some functions of proteins?

A

Functions of proteins include:
* Transport
* Structure
* Regulatory roles
* Catalyzing reactions

Proteins serve a multitude of different functions in the body.

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4
Q

How many of the 20 amino acids are considered essential?

A

Ten

Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the human body.

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5
Q

What are essential amino acids?

A

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the human body and are required for normal functioning

Essential amino acids must be acquired through food.

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6
Q

How can non-essential amino acids be produced in the body?

A

They can be fabricated from carbohydrate sources via:
* Tricarboxylic acid cycle
* Glycolysis
* Pentose phosphate shunt

Non-essential amino acids are not required to be obtained from the diet.

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7
Q

List some non-essential amino acids.

A

Non-essential amino acids include:
* Alanine
* Asparagine
* Aspartate
* Cysteine
* Glutamate
* Glutamine
* Glycine
* Proline
* Serine
* Tyrosine

These amino acids can be synthesized by the body.

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8
Q

List some essential amino acids.

A

Essential amino acids include:
* Arginine
* Isoleucine
* Leucine
* Lysine
* Methionine
* Phenylalanine
* Threonine
* Tryptophan
* Valine
* Histidine

The classification of essential vs non-essential may vary between sources.

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9
Q

What is the basic structure of an amino acid?

A

The basic structure includes:
* Hydrogen atom
* Carboxyl group
* Amino group
* R side chain

The R side chain is specific to each amino acid and determines its properties.

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10
Q

What determines the properties of an amino acid?

A

The R side chain

The R side chain varies among different amino acids, influencing their polarity and other properties.

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11
Q

True or False: All amino acids are essential for human functioning.

A

False

Only essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body.

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12
Q

What is the primary structure of proteins?

A

Chains of individual amino acids linked together via peptide bonds

The order or sequence of amino acids determines the final structure of the protein.

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13
Q

How are polypeptide chains formed?

A

By three or more amino acids joined together by a covalent bond between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino acid

This forms a backbone in a repeating pattern of - N - C - C - N - C - C - N -.

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14
Q

What characterizes the secondary structure of proteins?

A

Folding chains of amino acids into a helix or sheet

Stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

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15
Q

What are the two main types of secondary structures?

A
  • Helices
  • Beta sheets

Helices have R side chains facing away from the center, while beta sheets can be parallel or anti-parallel.

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16
Q

What stabilizes secondary structures in proteins?

A

Hydrogen bonds

These bonds form between the backbone of the amino acids.

17
Q

What is the tertiary structure of proteins?

A

The final, overall three-dimensional shape of the protein

It results from bonding between the side chains.

18
Q

What types of bonding can occur in the tertiary structure of proteins?

A
  • Hydrogen bonds
  • Hydrophobic interactions
  • Disulfide bonds
  • Salt bridges

Electrostatic forces are also involved, attracting positively and negatively charged groups.

19
Q

What are disulfide bonds?

A

Strong, covalent bonds that form when the sulfhydryl groups of cysteine become oxidized

They play a critical role in stabilizing the structure of proteins.

20
Q

True or False: The primary structure of proteins is stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

A

False

The primary structure is determined by the sequence of amino acids, not stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

21
Q

What are quaternary proteins classified as?

A

Globular or fibrous

22
Q

What characterizes quaternary proteins?

A

Oligomeric (created through the bonding of several peptide units)

23
Q

What are the general characteristics of globular proteins?

A

Compact, water-soluble, and ball-shaped

24
Q

What is the primary function of most globular proteins?

A

They are enzymes

25
Q

Give an example of a globular protein.

A

Hemoglobin

26
Q

What are the characteristics of fibrous proteins?

A

Elongated, strong, and not water-soluble

27
Q

What is the primary function of fibrous proteins?

A

They tend to serve a structural function

28
Q

Give an example of a fibrous protein.

A

Collagen

NBEO Part 1 (11 decks)

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