Proteins Flashcards
What are amino acids?
Basic monomer units that combine to make up a polymer called a polypeptide
How big are protein molecules?
Very large
Each amino acid has a central carbon to which 4 different chemical groups attach
- an amino group (-NH2)
- a carboxyl group (-COOH)
- a hydrogen atom (-H)
- an R group (all are different for each)
What do monosaccharides combine to form?
Disaccharides
What can amino acid monomers combine to form?
Dipeptides
What is a condensation reaction?
When molecules combine producing water
What is a hydrolysis reaction?
When molecules are split up by taking in water
When the condensation reactions occur, the two amino acids become linked by…
A Peptide Bond
What is the result of a chain of hundreds of amino acids?
A polypeptide
What is the primary structure of a protein?
The sequence of amino acids found in polypeptide chains, determining its shape and function
What is the secondary structure of a protein?
The shape which the polypeptide chain forms as a result of hydrogen bonding, most often known as the alpha helix
What is the tertiary structure of a protein?
The bending and twisting of polypeptide helix into a compact structure, maintained by disulphide, ionic and hydrogen bonds
What is the quaternary structure of a protein?
The combination of a number of different polypeptide chains and associated non-protein groups into a large, complex protein molecule
