Proteins Flashcards
Specific sequence of amino acids
Primary structure
Four protein structures
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary
Uniting of several protein units or a protein plus another structure
Quaternary structure
Folding of chain into a compact 3-D conformation with a specific shape
Confers specific biological properties
Tertiary structure
Recurring spatial arrangement of amino Acids in three- dimensional space
Secondary structure
Protein denaturation disrupts the bonds that hold _____,_____, and _____ structures together
Secondary, tertiary, and quaternary
What is happening when proteins lose their biological function?
Denaturation
Processes that can denature proteins: 4
- Extreme temperatures
2 pH change - Detergents, metals, organic solvents
- Mechanical mixing
Biological Functions of proteins 8
- Transport
- Cellular receptors
- Catalysis
- Structure
- Nutrition
- Maintenance of oncotic pressure
- Host defense
- Hormonal
Definition of “acute phase reactant”
Proteins that increase or decrease in response to an acute phase (inflammation, infection, MI, tumor, surgery, trauma, etc.)
List three negative acute phase reactants
Transthyretin, (Prealbumin), Albumin, Transferrin
What is the importance of the different solubility characteristics of albumin and globulins?
*Albumin is water soluble where as Globulins are water insoluble
Four examples of globular proteins
Albumin
Globulins
Histones
Protamine
Three examples of fibrous proteins
Collagen
Elastin
Keratin
Definition of nitrogen balance
Equals an equilibrium between intake and output
Six examples of conjugated proteins
Nucleoproteins Mucoproteins Glycoproteins Lipoproteins Metalloproteins Phosphoproteins
What is positive nitrogen balance?
When intake exceeds use or output
How does positive nitrogen balance impact patient health?
It is associated with general good health especially important in growing children, pregnant women, body builders
What is a negative nitrogen balance?
Use or output exceeds intake
How does negative nitrogen balance impact patient health?
It is seen in metastic cancer, severe infections, trauma, surgery, burns, and starvation
Two names for the plasma protein commonly analyzed for nitrogen balance assessment
Transthyretin or Prealbumin
HYPERproteinemia caused by relative changes
- Inadequate water intake
2. Excessive water loss (severe vomiting, diarrhea)
ESSAY QUESTION
Two general processes which may cause total protein abnormalities
Relative (apparent) change (due to changes in water volume)
True (absolute) change
HYPERproteinemia caused by absolute changes
- increased production (malignancy, such as multiple myeloma
HYPOproteinemia caused by relative changes
- increased plasma water volume (water intoxication, massive IV infusion, salt retention syndromes)
HYPOproteinemia caused by absolute changes
- increased loss (end-stage renal disease, such as nephrotic syndrome; severe blood loss; trauma; severe burns)
- Low protein intake or starvation
- Decreased production (liver disease)
Definition of hemodilution
Increase in body water, causing an apparent decrease in plasma protein concentration
Define hemoconcentration
Decrease in body water, causing an apparent increase in plasma protein concentration
Function of albumin
- transport of water-insoluble compounds
2. maintenance of colloid osmotic pressure
Function of Transthyretin (prealbumin)
- indicator of nutritional status along with retinol binding protein (RBP)
- Transports thyroid hormones and retinol
Albumin reference range know units
3.5 to 5.0 g /dL