Module 2 - Proteins Flashcards
Do saturated fatty acids have double bonds?
No
Do unsaturated fatty acids have double bonds?
Yes
What is the role of double bonds in fatty acids?
They make unsaturated fats fluid, ensuring the smooth functioning of the membrane
No double bonds -> long + rigid chain blocking chemicals into cell -> floats around body as cholestrol
Which can be used by the body for energy: glucose or fructose?
glucose
How are ring monosaccharides formed?
The aldehyde or ketone group of a sugar molecule reacts with a hydroxol (-OH) group closing the molecule into a ring
Isomers
Molecules with differences in the arrangement of atoms resulting in changes in chemical properties
Example of 2 isomers
glucose and galactose
Hydrolysis
the addition of a water molecule
Condensation
the removal of a water molecule
What are the building blocks of proteins?
amino acids
What are the building blocks of fats?
fatty acids
What are the building blocks of nucleic acids?
nucleotides
What are the building blocks of polysaccharides?
sugar units
Signalling molecules (ligands)
molecules carrying a message that bind to specific receptors
Ion channels
pore-forming membrane proteins allowing ions to pass through
Ion pumps
modulate ion transport in + out of a cell or organelle
Transmembrane carriers
involved in the movement of ions + molecules across the membrane
What are molecuels accompanied by when passing through a membrane?
proteins
Chaperones
helps hydrophilic molecules to travel over hydrophobic membrane by binding to partially folded polypeptide chains, helping them to progress along the most energetically favourable folding pathway
Example of chaperon
insulin for glucose
Enzymes
protein acting as a catalyst in the movement of ions and molecules across the membrane
Antibodies
protein made by plasma blood cells (a type of white blood cell) in response to an antigen (= substance causing the body to make a specific immune response)
What happens if even 1 of the components of a receptor changes?
neurotransmitter loses affinity for it
What happens when a ligand (e.g. NT) binds to a receptor?
ligand-gated ion channel opens allowing ion to flow across the plasma membrane, ultimately changing the configuration of the receptor
What determines the 3D shape of a protein?
amino acid sequence
What determines the function of a protein?
its shape
What is the structure of an amino acid?
1) general core structure
2) side chain making it a unique amino acid
What makes up the general core structure of an amino acid?
1) amino group (H2N)
2) carboxyl group (COOH)
3) H atom
What happens when an amino acid is ionized?
It becomes neutral - H from the carboxyl group moves to the amino group resulting in COO (-) and H3N (+)
What do isomers have in common?
Identical melting + boiling temperatures, densities and solubilities - differ in chemical reactivity
What are the 2 types of isomers of amino acids?
D and L amino acids
What amino acid isomer is used by the body
L amino acids
Are hydrophilic amino acids polar/covalent or non-polar?
polar (unequal sharing of electrons btw atoms)
Are hydrophobic amino acids polar or non-polar?
non-polar (electron pair is shared equally between the two bonded atoms)
What are the 3 categories of hydrophilic amino acids?
1) basic
2) polar with uncharged R groups
3) acidic
Example of basic hydrophilic amino acid
lysine
Example of hydrophilic polar amino acid with uncharged R group
asparaginine
Example of hydrophilic acidic amino acid
aspartic acid
Example of hydrophobic amino acid
trytophan
Example of special amino acid
glyceine
Covalent bond
two atoms share electrons between themselves
Non-covalent bond
either exchange electrons or do not exchange electrons at all
Where are hydrophobic amino acids located?
centre of a protein
Where are hydrophilic amino acids located?
surface of a protein
Hydrophobic amino acids have __ side chains
long
Hydrophilic amino acids have __ side chains
short
Why is water polar?
Because of its shape - H ends of the molecule are (+) charged and the O end is (-) charged
Why do H2O molecules attract each other and other polar molecules?
Because of its shape - H ends of the molecule are (+) charged and the O end is (-) charged
Peptide bonds aka
amide bond
How is a peptide/amide bond formed?
amine group (H3N) of one amino acid bonds with the carboxyl group (COOH) of another -> condensation reaction -> peptie bond formed
What kind of bond links amino acids?
peptide/amine bonds
What are proteins (chain of amino acids) made up of?
1) polypeptide backbone
2) amino terminus (N-terminus)
3) carboxyl termines (C-terminus)
4) amino acids linked by peptide bonds
What are the 2 ends of a chain of amino acids?
1) amino/N terminus
2) carboxyl/C terminus
What is the backbone of a chain of amino acids
polypeptide backbone
What kind of bonds are involved in the folding of a protein (tertiary structure)?
non-covalent (e.g. hydrogen) between side chains
Primary level of protein structure
linear sequence of amino acids
Secondary level of protein structure
the localized organisation of parts of a polupeptide chain (e.g. the alpha helix or beta sheet)
Tertiary level of protein structure
3D arrangement of polpeptide chain
Quaternary level of protein structure
association of 2 or more polypeptides into a multi-subunit complex
How are alpha-helices formed?
Hydrogen bonds: the N-H of every peptide bond is hydrogen bonded to the C = O of the neighbour peptide bond, forming a spiral helix
Where are alpha-helices found?
cell membrane proteins e.g. receptors
What determines whether a protein’s secondary structure is an alpha helix or beta sheet?
ribosomes
What determines where proteins are used
ribosomes
free ribosomes -> protein used in the cell
endoplasmic reticulum ribosomes -> proteins out of the cell are packaged to be used in the cell membrane
How are beta sheets formed?
Hydrogen bonds (H + O) formed in a polypeptide chain in a way that forms either a chain running in the direction opposite to that of its neighbours (antiparallel chains - so it folds on itself) OR neighbouring segments o the polypeptide backbone running in the same orientation (parallel chains)
What is a coiled-coil motif?
2 or more helices wound around one another
How are coiled-coil motifs formed?
form when 2 (or more) helices have most of their non-polar (hydrophobic) side chains on one side, so they can twist around eachother with these side chains facing inwards
What kind of bonds help proteins maintain folding?
covalent bonds (e.g. disulfide)
How are proteins secreted from a cell?
through the extracellular matrix
What are protein domains?
functional protein domains - complex structure + unique function
Example of a quaternary level structure protein
Hemoglobin = 2 alpha-globins and 2 beta-globins
Protein families
a similar structure (amino acid sequence) but differ in function