Proteins

Question 1

What atom is always found in protein that is not found in carbohydrates and lipids?

Answer 1

The nitrogen atom and the sulfur atom.

Question 2

Glucose is to cellulose as X is to proteins. What is X?

Answer 2

Amino Acids.

Question 3

What are the differences between polypeptides and proteins?

Answer 3

Polypeptides are long chains of amino acids, while proteins are made up of polypeptide chains.

Question 4

Describe the carboxyl, amino, and R group of amino acids.

Answer 4

The carboxyl group consists of a oxygen and hydrogen molecule on the “right” end of the amino acid; the amino group consists of a nitrogen atom and two hydrogen atoms on the “left” side; the R group varies by the type of amino acid, and is located on the “bottom” of the amino acid.

Question 5

Does the carboxyl, the amino, or the R group stay the same among all amino acids?

Answer 5

Only the carboxyl group stays the same.

Question 6

Describe the process of forming a peptide bond.

Answer 6

One of the hydrogen atoms of the amino group combines with the oxygen and hydrogen molecule of a carboxyl group. These two groups then form a water molecule (H2O), and bond, through dehydration synthesis.

Question 7

Why are proteins broken down into amino acids through digestion?

Answer 7

Proteins are broken down into the form of amino acids during digestion so that they can be sent to the ribosomes, where they are put together to form molecules which then help our bodies.

Question 8

What is the function of enzymes?

Answer 8

Enzymes help create and speed up chemical reactions which occur in the body (ie. digestion, etc.)

Question 9

Name three structures of the body in which collagen is present.

Answer 9

Hair, Skin, Muscle Tissue, and Tendons.

Question 10

What is the role of Vitamin C in collagen?

Answer 10

Vitamin C helps to hold together the triple-helix structure of the collagen molecule.

Question 11

What symptoms may occur in someone who is deficient in Vitamin C?

Answer 11

A weakening of connective tissue, which make cause difficulty in bending joints, because the structure of collagen falls apart when Vitamin C is missing.

Question 12

What happens to the order of amino acids in the protein if they are arranged incorrectly?

Answer 12

The protein serves a different function than what it was originally supposed to do. For example, a protein that was originally supposed to help out the bending of joints may instead strengthen the tendons of the joints. If all else fails, the protein may simply fall apart, so that the amino acids can be used again for different, correct purposes.

Question 13

What is collagen?

Answer 13

Collagen is a protein which improves the flexibility of the connective tissue of the body (Skin, Tendons, Ligaments, etc.)

Question 14

What are the functions of proteins?

Answer 14

Proteins are used to help the body complete its necessary functions.

Question 15

Name the nine types of proteins.

Answer 15

Structural, Signaling, Transport, Sensory, Motor, Regulatory, Defense, Storage, and Enzymes.

Question 16

What are the functions and structure of structural proteins? Give an example.

Answer 16

Structural proteins help to maintain flexibility and strength within the bones, connective tissue, and skin of the body. Collagen is a structural protein. Structural proteins are long and slim, which makes it very flexible.

Question 17

What are the functions and structure of regulatory proteins? Give an example.

Answer 17

Regulatory proteins keep the cells of the body in check: they make sure that diseases found in cells do not spread, and they kill off cells that are to damaged for recovery. p53 is a regulatory protein.

Question 18

What are the functions and structure of sensory proteins? Give an example.

Answer 18

Sensory proteins are cells found in the eyes and ears, and are used to sense light and sound. Once the cell takes in light, a certain enzyme, along with a small amount of Vitamin C, are needed for it to absorb light again. Rhodopsin is a sensory protein.

Question 19

What are the functions and structure of storage proteins? Give an example.

Answer 19

Storage proteins take in insoluble molecules and give them to the cells of the body as energy. Serum albumin is a storage protein.

Question 20

What are the functions and structure of transport proteins? Give an example.

Answer 20

Transport proteins control the passage of various molecules into and out of the cell. Aquaporin is a transport protein. Transport proteins have very small holes within their structure, which allow molecules to enter and leave it, but only one at a time.

Question 21

What are the functions and structure of motor proteins? Give an example.

Answer 21

Motor proteins bring larger molecules to where they need to be in the cell, because they cannot find their way on their own while bouncing within the cell. Motor proteins have two very long “tails”, which allow it to latch onto stray molecules and bring them to where they need to be.

Question 22

What are the functions and structure of defense proteins? Give an example.

Answer 22

Defense proteins locate viruses found in the bloodstream, and bind onto them so that they cannot escape. This then allows the immune system to destroy the virus. Antibodies are defense proteins. Defense proteins have two arms, which help it latch onto viruses and diseases.

Question 23

What are the functions and structure of signaling proteins? Give an example.

Answer 23

Signaling proteins send messages to the organs of the body to work either more or less efficiently. Insulin is a signaling protein.