"essay" questions Flashcards
Why and how would the structure and function of a protein change if a hydrophobic amino acid was substituted for a hydrophilic one?
Hydrophobic amino acids cluster towards the center of the structure in order to stay away from water. Hydrophilic on the other hand, try to form hydrogen bonds with water. If a hydrophobic amino acid was substituted for a hydrophilic one, the hydrophilic would have to try to shimmy its way around to find water, but without exposing the hydrophobic ones to water. Also, structure determines function, so if there is a drastic change in the structure, the function could also be dramatically changed.
How are the effects and results of protein denaturation different from the effects and results of a mutation?
Proteins denaturation occurs by the environment and surroundings, whilst a mutation occurs due to an error in DNA replication. Also, denaturation unfolds the structure because it is disrupting the bonds in the amino acid. Mutations affect the structure, but they don’t completely unfold the structure. Both do affect the functionality though.
True or False:
changing a hydrophobic amino with a hydrophilic can have drastic changes in structure and function
true
True or False:
Mutations don’t completely unfold a structure
true
