Module 10: Proteins

Question 1

What are five functions that proteins play in living organisms?

Answer 1

1. Enzymatic-Selective acceleration of chemical reactions.
2. Structural- Support etc. cytoskeleton
3. Storage- Storage of Amino Acids.
4. Transport-Transport of substances in/out of cell
5. Defensive- Protection against diseases.

Question 2

Draw the basic structure of an amino acid.

Answer 2

4H-1N-2C-1R-2O

Question 3

What are the four different classes of amino acid variable groups?

Answer 3

Valine- Nonpolar
Glutamine-Polar
Lysine-Base
Aspartic Acid-Acid

Question 4

What bonds hold amino acids together to form proteins? What reaction is involved in joining those amino acids together

Answer 4

Peptide bonds

Dehydration reaction

Question 5

What are the four levels of protein structure?

Answer 5

1. Primary Structure Order of Amino acids from one end to the other.
2. Secondary-Alpha-helix & Beta sheets
3. Tertiary- The folding of a protein to form its shape
4. Quaternary- Shape of multiple proteins- one functional unit

Question 6

Hemoglobin & Sickle Cell. Explain why a single amino acid change in a protein results in a misshapen red blood cell?

Answer 6

A mutation in the primary structure of hemoglobin switched a hydrophillic amino acid for a hydrophobic amino acid. The end result sickle-cell hemoglobin can’t carry as much oxygen.