KH3 Flashcards
what are proteins
linear polymers of amino acids joined by peptide bonds
sometimes referred to as polypeptides
how are proteins made
translation of mRNAs transcribed from genomic DNA
what is the basic biological point of DNA and RNA
allow synthesis of specific proteins that carry out the physical and chemical functions of cells
what is length of smallest proteins
~40 aa in length
what is length of average proteins
~300-400 aa
what is length of largest protein
~30 000 aa
what is the proteins primary structure
specific sequence of amino acids in a protein
do linear polymers form straight rod like structures
NO
they do not fold randomly
they fold into definite 3d structures depending on the sequence of amino acids (determined by shape of backbone)
what are the functions of a proteins determined by
overall shape (specific folding pattern driven by aa sequence) and distribution of aa side chains (with their distinctive chemical properties)
describe the way genome relates to cell biology
genome DNA –> protein primar structure –> protein 3d structure –> function –> cell biology
what are the 2 major classes of amino acid side chains
hydrophilic
hydrophobic
describe hydrophilic
water loving
side chains have a polar electronic charge distribution (tho they can carry a net charge or be neutral)
interact well with polar solvent water
describe hydrophobic
non polar charge distribution
do not interact well with polar solvent water
like oil and water
describe the hydrophobic effect
water molecules surrounding hydrophobic molecules dispersed in water adopt a constrained cage like organization - low entropy
if hydrophobic molecules coalesce - total number of low entropy constrained water molecules is reduced - net increase in entropy drives formation of separate hydrophobic and aqueous phases
what is the coalescence of hydrophobic molecules also favoured by
weak non covalent van der waals intermolecular interactions
describe hydropohic effect informally
2 non polar substances surrounded by water - hydrogen bonded lattice constraining water molecules in cages - water isn’t free to move and degree of randomness is low
then hydrophobic aggregation = 2 non polar bond together and water molecules are released, don’t need as many water molecules, its more efficient to package together, so more random, higher entropy and drives the separation of water and oil
describe oil drop model of protein folding
hydrophobic side chains inside and hydrophilic side chains facing outside
describe why the oil drop model is important
the rule must be respected in any protein structure since cytoplasm is aqueous
define only the crudest level of protein structure
how many structures do proteins adopt
only one or a small number of similar structures called conformations
what are specific protein structures based on
general oil drop model (basic level of chemical topography)
hierarchy of structural elements that define specific elements of substructure
what are the specific and local structural interactions called
secondary and tertiary structure
determine path of peptide backbone through space –> the overall shape of molecule
describe general overview of protein structure/function/folding
primary = sequence
secondary = local folding and h bonding between aas that are close together
tertiary = overall conformation, determines function of protein and all capabilities –> all function OR quaternary
quaternary = complex multimeric structure –> all function OR supramolecular
supramolecular = quite definite large scale assembly–> all function
describe primary structure (generally)
sequence of amino acids
describe secondary structure (generally)
alpha helix = local folding of peptide backbone
beta sheets = add laterally forming a flat sheet like structure
describe tertiary structure (generally)
final structure
elements of secondary come together in specific ways
describe quaternary structure (generally)
made on different ribosomes and they find each other
functional protein has enzymatic function (tertiary could not have enzymatic properties