Proteins Flashcards
What is an amino acid?
The most simple building block of proteins.
Dipeptide
The product of two amino acids binding together
Polypeptide
term used for a molecule consisting of repeating amino acid subunits
Side chain
Variable part of amino acids, of which there are 20 different types
peptide bond
A chemical bond formed between amino acids by the removal of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, resulting in water formation
hydrophobic
Tending to avoid interactions with water
hydrophilic
tending to form interactions with water
Globular protein
large polypeptides that arrange into ball-like structures
Fibrous protein
Large polypeptides that arrange into long rope-like structures
functional protein
a protein molecule that plays a useful role due to its 3D conformation
Hydrogen bond
A weak, temporary chemical bond that is formed between hydrogen and either N or O.
ionic bond
strong chemical bond formed by charged atoms
disulfide bridge
chemical bond formed between the sulfur-containing amino acids
primary structure
a polypeptide with no interactions between amino acid side groups
secondary structure
a polypeptide with simple interactions between amino acid side groups forming sheets or helices
collagen
structural fibrous protein that is the most abundant protein in the body
keratin
fibrous protein that is present in hair and nails
keratin
fibrous protein that is present in hair and nails
elastin
fibrous protein that affords elasticity to tissues
tertiary structure
protein structure consisting of a mix of primary and secondary structures that form complex 3-dimensional shapes
quaternary structures
multiple tertiary structures associated with each other for a common function
haemoglobin
protein that is responsible for oxygen transport throughout the body
conjugated protein
polypeptide that requires interaction with another group to function
prosthetic group
inorganic group that binds with protein and allows it to function
