KH3 Flashcards
What is a protein’s primary structure?
The specific sequence of amino acids in a protein
What is the structure of linear polymers
Folded into definite 3D structures depending on the sequence of amino acids
What is the function of a protein determined by
Overall shape and the distribution throughout that overall shape of the amino acid side chains with their distinctive chemical properties
What are the two major classes of amino acid side chains
Hydrophilic (polar electronic charge distribution and interact well with the polar solvent water)
Hydrophobic (non-polar charge distribution and therefore do not interact well with the polar solvent water)
What is the hydrophobic effect
water molecules surrounding hydrophobic molecules dispersed in water adopt a constrained, cage-like organization (low entropy)
What happens if hydrophobic molecules coalesce in the hydrophobic effect
The total number of low entropy, constrained water molecules is reduced, and this net increase in entropy ultimately drives the formation of separate hydrophobic and aqueous phases (higher entropy when there are less water molecules after aggregation)
What does DNA indirectly determine in terms of proteins
DNA determines amino acid sequence of the protein but ultimately dictates the 3D structure and ultimately function of the protein
What does secondary structure refer to
The local conformations of the peptide chain backbone
What are the two major peptide chain backbone conformations
Alpha helix and beta sheet
What are the two major peptide chain backbone conformations based on
H-bonding between peptide bond carbonyl O atoms on one amino acid residue, and amino group hydrogens on a different amino acid residue
How does the bonding work in alpha helix structures
Amino acid n H-bonds with amino acid n+4
What is the periodicity of alpha helix structures
Titled axis of U-bonds drives periodicity of 3.6 residues per turn
What is the gross structure of alpha helices
Straight rod
What are surface properties of alpha helix structures dependent on
Side chains
What are surface properties of alpha helices that can be determined
Propensity for alpha helix to form
Interactions of the alpha helix with other parts of the protein (stability)
How does bonding work in beta sheets and what does it create
H-bonds link two adjacent beta strands, can create large surfaces
What property of beta sheets determines the interactions of the beta sheet with other parts of the protein and also the propensity for the beta sheet to form
Amino acid side chains protruding above and below the plane of the beta sheet
What kind of relationships can the strands of beta sheets have
Strands may be parallel or antiparallel (and could be from different polypeptides)
What are secondary structures described as and how many secondary structure elements do polypeptides have
Local and multiple
What is tertiary structure
Overall conformation of the polypeptide (spatial organization of the multiple secondary structure elements)