Proteins Flashcards
What are proteins?
Organic molecules composed of amino acids.
What are organic compounds?
Compounds that contain the element carbon.
What are amino acids?
The building blocks of proteins; amino acids compose proteins.
What are some of the uses for proteins?
- Acting as enzymes.
- Structure.
- Transport.
- Regulation of cell activity.
- Defense in your lymphatic system.
- Acting as hormones.
- Acting as receptors to bind hormones to target cells.
How many types of amino acids are there?
20.
Throughout all the different types of amino acid, what is the one element that changes?
The R group. Only the R group changes throughout the numerous amino acids. The other elements, carbon atom, hydrogen atom, an amino group, and the carboxyl group stay the same.
How many levels are there in the structure of a protein?
4.
1. The Primary Structure
2. The Secondary Structure
3. The Tertiary Structure
4. The Quaternary Structure
What is the primary structure of a protein?
The simplest structure of proteins composed of a chain of amino acids.
What is the secondary structure of a protein?
The second level of organization of proteins where some of the amino acids within a single polypeptide chain form into special structures, such as an alpha helix or a beta sheet.
What is the tertiary structure of a protein?
The third level of organization of a protein, the overall structure of one entire amino acid chain.
What is the quaternary structure of a protein?
The most complex level of protein structure where the tertiary structure of several amino acid chains are bonded together.
Amino acids in a chain are called what?
A polypeptide chain.
A polypeptide chain is held together by what?
Peptide bonds.
How do peptide bonds work?
Every amino acid has an amino group and a carboxyl group so that the amino group of the first amino acid will bond to the carboxyl group of the second amino acid to form a peptide bond, and so on.
What is a polypeptide chain?
A chain formed when three or more amino acids join together?
