MCBG Stuff

Question 1

What are the names of the bonds in the backbone chain of a protein?

Answer 1

Psi (ψ) Cα - C bond

Phi (φ) Cα - N bond

Question 2

What AA are good/bad at forming α-helices?

Answer 2

Small, hydrophobic residues like Ala and Leu are strong helix formers
Helix breakers - Pro (rotation around N-Cα is impossible), Gly (tiny R group supports other conformations)

Question 3

What is the structure of collagen?

Answer 3

Gly - X - Y repeating sequence
Interactions between chains stabilised by H bonds
Triple helical arrangement of collagen chains form a collagen molecule
These molecules are cross-linked covalently to form collagen fibrils
These fibrils look striated if negatively stained, as the regions with no gaps don’t stain as much as the regions with gaps

Question 4

What is a motif?

Answer 4

A folding pattern containing 1 or more elements of secondary structure

Question 5

What is a domain?

Answer 5

A part of the polypeptide chain that folds into a distinct shape, often has a specific functional role

Question 6

What is the name for inheritance only exhibited in males, when there is just one allele of a gene on the X chromosome?

Answer 6

Hemizygous