Proteins Flashcards
How are the 20 most common amino acids classified?
Based on the structure of their side chains.
What does the ‘R’ group in amino acids represent?
The side chain that differs for each amino acid.
What is the structure of glycine?
Has a hydrogen atom (H) as its R group.
What characterizes hydrophobic amino acids?
Non-polar chains that are hydrophobic inside the protein.
What type of amino acid is alanine?
Contains a methyl group.
What is unique about proline’s structure?
It has different properties due to its unusual structure.
What is phenylalanine commonly found in?
Energy drinks.
What is the relationship between amino acids and peptide bonds?
Amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds to form proteins.
What are the components of nucleotides?
A sugar, base, and phosphate group.
What sugar is found in RNA?
Ribose.
What sugar is found in DNA?
Deoxyribose.
What is the function of keratin?
Structural protein.
What is hemoglobin’s role?
Transport protein.
What type of proteins are insulin and growth hormone?
Hormonal proteins.
What is the central dogma of molecular biology?
DNA to RNA to Protein.
What is non-coding DNA?
DNA that does not produce protein.
What is the difference between proteins and polypeptides?
Proteins are larger and can fold into functional structures.
What is the primary structure of proteins?
A chain of amino acids.
What is the secondary structure of proteins?
Includes alpha helices and beta sheets.
What determines the properties of amino acids?
The R group (side chain).
What is the significance of chirality in amino acids?
Natural amino acids have the ‘L’ configuration.
What is a peptide bond?
A covalent bond formed by a condensation reaction.
What influences protein folding?
Hydrophobic interactions and the arrangement of R groups.
What is the hydrophobic effect?
Hydrophobic amino acids cluster inside proteins, avoiding water.
What is the quaternary structure of proteins?
Multi-protein assemblies, such as hemoglobin with four subunits.
How can a smoker be detected using forensic science?
By analyzing proteins to find drug metabolites in fingerprints.
What is an example of a special amino acid?
Cysteine, which can form disulfide bridges.
What is the molecular weight of insulin?
5800 daltons.
What is the role of enzymes?
Regulatory proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions.
What is the size of the human genome compared to parasitic organisms?
Humans have about 25000 genes; parasitic organisms can have 6000 genes.
What is the significance of phenylalanine and tyrosine?
Phenylalanine is essential; tyrosine is semi-essential.
What is PKU defect?
A genetic condition tested in newborns that can cause intellectual disability.
What techniques are used to determine protein structure?
X-ray crystallography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR).
What are glycoproteins?
Proteins with carbohydrate groups attached.
What is a prosthetic group in proteins?
A non-polypeptide unit that is tightly and permanently attached to a protein.
