Biochemistry: Proteins & Nucleic Acids Flashcards
What are the major elements that make up protein molecules?
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and sometimes sulphur and phosphorus
What are the building blocks of proteins
amino acids
How many amino acids are there
20 different amino acids, all proteins are made up of various combinations
How do amino acids form a dipeptide
hydrolysis by water and an enzyme
What is denaturation, and what can cause it?
Loss of a protein’s normal shape due to changes in environmental conditions like pH, salt concentration, or temperature, leading to a loss of function, proteins can sometimes be refolded and restore their function.
What makes a 3D structure of a protein important
To determine the function of a specific protein
What are the four structures of proteins
Primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary structures
Describe primary structure
polypeptide chain formed by peptide bonds between amino acids
Describe secondary structure
Twisting and folding of neighbouring amino acids stabilized by hydrogen bonds
Describe tertiary structure
3D by folding due to hydrogen bonds
Describe quaternary structure
arrangement of two or more polypeptide chains
What are the elements that make up nucleic acids?
Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus
What are the building blocks of nucleic acids?
nucleotides
What are the differences between DNA and RNA in terms of structure and function?
DNA; double-stranded, stores genetic information, Thymine (T), deoxyribose sugar
RNA; single-stranded, role in protein synthesis, Uracil (U) ribose sugar
How are nucleotides linked together to form nucleic acids?
a bond, forming a sugar-phosphate backbone
What is the function of DNA?
To store genetic information and transfers instructions to ribosomes
What are the three types of RNA and their functions?
mRNA (messenger RNA): Carries genetic instructions from DNA to the ribosome for protein synthesis.
tRNA (transfer RNA): Delivers amino acids to the ribosome to form proteins.
rRNA (ribosomal RNA): Forms part of the ribosome and catalyzes protein synthesis
What are the three components of ATP?
ATP is made up of:
Adenine (nitrogenous base)
Ribose (five-carbon sugar)
Three phosphate group
What are the six functional groups of proteins
- Structural
- Regulatory (Hormones)
- Contractile
- immunological (Antibodies)
- Transport
- Catalytic (Enzymes)
What is a structural protein
Support & shape, e.g. collagen, keratin
What is a regulatory protein
controls body processes, e.g. insulin
What is a contractile protein
Enables movement, e.g. actin & myosin
What is a immunological protein
defends against diseases, e.g. immunoglobulins
What is a transport protein
moves substances, e.g. hemoglobin (transports oxygen)
What is a catalytic protein
speeds up reactions, e.g. amylase
What is the function of RNA
Carries genetic instructions from DNA to ribosomes to create proteins
