Exam 3 Long Version Flashcards
Enzyme
the biological chemical reaction catalyst. In the context of this chapter, an enzyme is an example of a bioactive protein
Insulin
A major metabolic hormone that is secreted in response to feed consumption and elevated blood glucose. In the context of this chapter, insulin is an example of a hormone whose structure is a protein
Amino acid
the fundamental “building block” of protein structure. There are 20 common amino acids in feeds and foods, and additional examples in animal tissues. Each amino acid contains an amino group on one side of the molecule and a carboxyl group on the other. Of the 20 different amino acids, there are 20 different “side chains” which are structures bonded to the same centralized carbon atom as the amine and carboxyl groups
Side chain
the structure on an amino acid that distinguishes it from the other 19 amino acids
Peptide
a protein that consists of less than 10 amino acids
Peptide bond
the amide bond that bonds amino acid to the next in a protein. Recall that the peptide bond occurs as a reaction between a carboxyl group and an amine group
Hydrolysis
in the context of this chapter, hydrolysis refers to the breaking of a peptide bond (amide bond) such that a water molecule is introduced into the reaction
Primary structure of a protein
the sequence of amino acids in the protein. Do not confuse sequence with composition.
Sequence is the order in which the amino acids occur from one end of the protein to the other.
Secondary structure of a protein
this refers to the changes in conformation or three dimensional structure that the protein begins to form as the primary structure grows.
Examples of secondary structure include helix and pleated sheets. These difference are determined by the primary structure because it’s the side chains of the amino acids that interact to form different three dimensional configurations
Tertiary structure of a protein
this refers to the final three dimensional structure of the protein after it has been synthesized. In order for tertiary structure to occur and be maintained, amino acid side chains interact with one another in specific locations through different types of bonding: hydrogen bonds, electrostatic interactions between polar residues, and by covalent bonds between Cys residues that form disulfide bonds.
Quaternary structure of a protein
this type of structure refers to two or more complete proteins combining to form a larger protein in which the individual proteins represent subunits of the larger, complete protein. Not all complete and functional proteins have quaternary structure. An example of a protein with quaternary structure is hemoglobin.
Glycine
An amino acid with a hydrogen atom as its side chain
Non-polar side chains
These are side chains of amino acids in which there is no polarity or charge.
Amino acids with non-polar side chains include: (8)
- Alanine (Ala)
- Valine (Val)
- Leucine (Leu)
- isoleucine (Ile)
- Proline (Pro)
- Tryptophan (Trp)
- Phenylalanine (Phe)
- Methionine (Met)
Imino group
Basically, an amino acid molecule contains an amine group. There is an “amino” acid in which the amine group is bonded to the central carbon of the amino acid, as well as to a carbon atom in the side chain such there is no true amino group. Such a nitrogen containing group is a “imino” group, and the amino acid identified with this type of structure is proline (Pro).

Polar side chains
these are amino acid side chains that contain polar groups, either positive or negative polarities (or charges).
Amino acids with polar side chains include: (4)
three amino acids contain hydroxyl groups:
- Serine (ser)
- Threonine (thr)
- Tyrosine (tyr)
and one amino acid contains a thiol group
- Cystein (cys)
Polar acid side chains (2)
- Glutamic acid (glu)
- Aspartic acid (asp)
Polar basic side chains (5)
three amino acids have amino groups on their side chains
- Glutamine (gln)
- Aspargine (asn)
- Lysine (lys)
one has an imino group on its side chain
- Histidine (his)
and one has a combination of amino and imino groups on its side chain
- Arginine (arg)
genetic code
the code for all proteins that is determined by the sequence of nucleic acids in the animal’s DNA
Transcribe
to copy from one form to another. In the context of this chapter, transcribing or transcription refers to reading the genetic code of the DNA and re-writing it chemically in a form that can then be directly used for making the protein designated by the genetic code
Nucleotide sequence
the sequence of the four nucleotides in DNA: adenine, guanine, thymine and guanine
Messenger RNA
the chemical copy of the genetic code of a small section of the DNA. When the genetic code section is transcribed, the result is the messenger RNA (mRNA). The “messege” is therefore written chemically in a form that can move to a location in the cell where a protein can be synthesized; this form is mRNA
Ribosome
a organelle in the cell outside of the nucleus where proteins are synthesized in a manner consistent with the genetic code as chemically written as the mRNA