MGD Flashcards
N Terminus Formula
NH3+
Amino Group
C Terminus Formula
COO-
Carboxyl group
Define: Aliphatic
Long carbon chained (not carbon ringed)
What characteristic does a difference in electronegativity cause in amino acids?
Polarity
What is pKa?
Acid Dissociation Constant
For a low pKa…
Accept or Donate H+?
Donate
Formation of peptide bonds…
Hydrolysis or condensation reaction?
Condensation Reaction
Where do peptide bonds form?
Between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another.
Are polypeptides Trans or Cis in natural circumstances?
Trans - If it were cis, the R groups would clash.
Define: Isoelectric point
The pH at which the overall charge of a protein is zero.
Protonated or deprotonated protein if:
pI > pH
Protonated - Solution donates H+ to protein
Smallest always donates H+
Haemoglobin Alpha helix:
How many amino acids per turn?
3.6 amino acids per turn
What’s the structure of antiparallel Beta sheets?
Beta strands running in opposite directions; joined by Hydrogen bonds.
Define: Motifs
Folding patterns containing more than 1 type of secondary structure.
Define: Domains
Part of a polypeptide chain which specifically fold to produce a distinct shape. Normally to produce a region with a specific role (eg. Active site of an enzyme).
What is a chaperone?
A protein which prevents a polypeptide from folding incorrectly.
How are amyloidoses formed?
When misfolded proteins clump together - form amyloid fibres which are very strong.
Draw the curve for haemoglobin - what are the key values?
Sigmoidal curve
10kPa = ~95%
4kPa = 50%
0kPa = 0%
Name the allosteric inhibitor which reduces haemoglobin’s affinity for oxygen.
2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-BPG)
Draw the line for an increased CO2 level. Name this effect.
Shift to the right.
Bohr effect.
Adult haemoglobin subunits?
Fetal haemoglobin subunits?
Adult = 2 alpha, 2 beta Fetal = 2 alpha, 2 gamma
Does fetal haemoglobin have a higher or lower affinity for oxygen than maternal haemoglobin? Why?
Higher affinity for oxygen so that oxygen will move from mother to fetus. If it was the same, the fetus would not receive oxygen from the mother’s bloodstream.
What is the Michaelis-Menten equation?
Vo = (Vmax*[s])/(Km + [s])
What is the Lineweaver-Burk plot equation?
1/Vo = (((Km)/Vmax) * 1/[s]) + 1/Vmax
Competitive inhibitor effect on Km and Vmax?
Vmax remains the same but Km increases.
Non-competitive inhibitor effect on Km and Vmax?
Km remains the same but Vmax decreases.
Define: Km
The concentration of substrate required to meet 1/2 Vmax.
Define: Vmax
The maximum rate of a reaction if [s] is infinite.
Define: Isoenzymes
Different forms of an enzyme.
Define: Product inhibition
This is when a product can act as a competitive inhibitor.
What states does haemoglobin have and when do they change?
T (Tense) state and R (Relaxed) state.
T state when no oxygen is bound. Then R state when oxygen begins to bind.
Define: Proteolytic cleavage
The cutting of a protein sequence at a specific point.
Define: Zymogen
An inactive precursor.
List 4 short term and 2 long term methods of regulation of protein activity.
Short term:
- Allosteric inhibitors
- Change in substrate concentration
- Use of zymogens (proteolytic cleavage)
- Covalent modification
Long term:
- Change proteinsynthesis rate
- Change protein degredation rate
Difference between euchromatin and heterochromatin?
Heterochromatin is densely packed solenoids whilst euchromatin is beads-on-a-string.
In which are genes expressed - Heterochromatin or Euchromatin?
Euchromatin - Heterochromatin is densely packed solenoids where genes cannot be expressed as they are too tightly packed.
Composition of nucleotides?
Base + Sugar + Phosphate
Composition of nucleosides?
Base + Sugar
Define: Genome
The entire DNA sequence.
Two different sugars which could be in a nucleotide?
Ribose sugar or Deoxyribose sugar
What is a Purine base? Examples?
Double ring base.
Eg. Adenine + Guanine
What is a pyrimidine base? Examples?
A single ring base.
Eg. Cytosine, Thymine, Uracil
How many hydrogen bonds form between:
Guanine - Cytosine
Adenine - Thymine
Adenine - Uracil
3
2
2
What two types of groove are found in DNA? Which is the flexible groove?
Minor and Major grooves. Minor groove is flexible.
Name the phases in DNA replication.
Growth 1 - Cell content replication
Synthesis - DNA is replicated
Growth 2 - Checking and repair of DNA
Division - (EG. Mitosis)
What is G0 phase?
This is outside of the cell cycle and is when DNA is not replicating.
Equation of DNA replication? Which enzyme catalyses the reaction?
(dNMP)n + dNTP –> (dNMP)n+1 + PPi
Enzyme = DNA polymerase
Which enzyme joins the lagging strand to form a continuous piece of DNA?
DNA ligase.
Name of enzyme which unwinds DNA helix?
DNA helicase.
Define: Mitosis
Cell division for somatic cells which produces two identical daughter cells
Define: Meiosis
Cell division for gametes which produces 4 non-identical daughter cells (haploids).
Stages of Mitosis and their key features?
Prophase - Disintegration of nuclear membrane.
Prometaphase - Formation of spindle fibres.
Metaphase - Chromosomes align along centre of cell.
Anaphase - Spindle fibres pull chromosomes apart to opposite sides of the cell.
Telophase - Cell membranes reform.
Cytokinesis - Cells split apart.
Stages of Meiosis and their features?
Prophase 1: Nuclear membranes disintegrate. Homologous chromosomes also pair up and crossing over occurs. Spindle fibres also form
Metaphase 1: Chromosomes align.
Anaphase 1: Spindle fibres pull homologous chromosomes to opposite poles.
Telophase 1: Nuclear membrane forms.
Prophase 2: Nuclear membrane disintegrates.
Metaphase 2: Chromosomes align. Spindle fibres form.
Anaphase 2: Spindle fibres pull chromatids apart to give chromosomes at opposite poles.
Telophase 2: Nuclear membrane forms. 4 non-identical daughters cells have been made.
Define: Genotype
The genetic constitution of an individual.
Define: Phenotype
The observable characteristics determined by the genotype and the environment.
Name 3 ways genetic variation may arise.
- Crossing over
- Random assortment
- Mutations
Define: Hemizygous
Only one copy of an allele from the X chromosome.
Define: Codominance
Where two alleles will contribute to the phenotype in a heterozygotes.
Define: Complementation
When two genes code for a phenotype - can cancel each other out if both defected genes.
Enzyme, substrate and template for transcription?
Enzyme = RNA polymerase Substrate = Nucleotides Template = DNA
Enzyme, substrate and template for translation?
Enzyme = Ribosome Substrate = Amino acyl tRNA Template = mRNA
Outline: Capping, Tailing and Splicing
Capping = Adding a 5’ cap to protect against degradation and plays a role in translation.
Tailing = Adding a polyA tail which protects against degradation
Splicing = Sequence dependent process which removes introns.
Enzymes used in degradation of polynucleotides?
Endonuclease - breaks from within polynucleotide
Exonuclease - breaks from 5’ or 3’ end inwards.
How many types of RNA polymerase in eukaryotes and prokaryotes?
Eukaryotes = 3 types Prokaryotes = 1 type
Name 3 features of a genetic code.
- Read in triplets
- Non-overlapping
- Degenerate
Name the enzyme which joins amino acid to tRNA to form Amino acyl tRNA
tRNA synthetase
Bacteria or Man:
Coupled translation and transcription
Bacteria - no nucleus so occurs all together.
Bacteria or Man:
Simpler promoters
Bacteria
Bacteria or Man
Three RNA polymerase types
Man - Bacteria only has 1 type
Why do we care about difference between man and bacteria transcription + translation?
We can use differences to our advantage - drugs can target bacteria aspects which aren’t found in humans.
Which type of amino acid stereoisomers are found in proteins?
L isomers
Which can pass through a lipid bilayer more easily:
Hydrophobic or Hydrophillic substances
Hydrophobic - Non-polar molecules which are “water hating”
Protonated or Deprotonated form of conjugate base, more present when:
pH > pKa
Deprotonated
Draw the general structure of an amino acid.
Amino group, side group, carboxyl group, hydrogen - all surrounding a carbon
3 factors which can be used to classify amino acids.
- The interaction with water at pH 7.0
- The charge on side chain when at pH 7.0
- Aromatic or aliphatic
Charge of amino acids in acidic protein?
Negative charge
Charge of amino acids in basic protein?
Positively charged
As there is no rotation around a peptide bond, what shape does this give atoms in the bond?
Atoms in the bond are planar
Define: Homomeric
When polypeptide chains in a quaternary structure are the same.
Define: Heteromeric
When polypeptide chains in a quaternary structure are different.
List bond types found in primary structure
Covalent bonds (peptide bonds)
List the bonds found in secondary structure
Hydrogen bonds
List the bonds found in tertiary and quaternary structure.
Hydrogen bonds, Ionic interaction, disulphide bonds, Van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interaction.
Key features of alpha helix structures?
- Right hand helix
- 0.54 nm pitch
- 3.6 amino acids per turn
- Pro and Gly act as helix breakers.
Features of Beta sheets?
- Parallel or antiparallel
- Many hydrogen bonds form structure
Define: Myoglobin
A single subunit protein which can carry up to 1 molecule of oxygen. No cooperative binding.