proteins Flashcards

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1
Q

Proteins are the most complex and most diverse group of biological compounds. They have an astonishing range of different functions. Give some examples. Say 5.

A

1.structure e.g. collagen (bone, cartilage)keratin (hair), actin (muscle)2.enzymes e.g. amylase, pepsin, catalase, 3. transport e.g. haemoglobin (oxygen), transferrin (iron)4.pumps e.g. Na+K+ pump in cell membranes5. motors e.g. myosin (muscle), kinesin (cilia)6.hormones e.g. insulin, glucagon7.receptors e.g. rhodopsin (light receptor in retina)

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2
Q

and another 5

A

antibodies e.g. immunoglobulinsstorage e.g. albumins in eggs and blood, caesin in milkblood clotting e.g. thrombin, fibrinlubrication e.g. glycoproteins in synovial fluidtoxins e.g. diphtheria toxinantifreeze e.g. glycoproteins in arctic flea

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3
Q

Proteins are made of ____________which are made of the five elements

A

amino acidsC H O N and sometimes S

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4
Q

There is a central carbon atom called

A

the “alpha carbon”

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5
Q

what four different chemical groups are attached to it?

A

a hydrogen atoma basic amino groupan acidic carboxyl groupa variable “R” group (or side chain)There are 20 different R groups, and so 20 different amino acids

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6
Q

Amino acids are so-called because they have both amino groups and acid groups, which have opposite charges. At neutral pH (found in most living organisms), the groups are ionized as shown above, so there is a positive charge at one end of the molecule and a negative charge at the other end. The overall net charge on the molecule is therefore zero. A molecule like this, with both positive and negative charges is called a

A

zwitterion

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7
Q

When two amino acids join together a __________ is formed.

A

dipeptideThe reaction involves the formation of a molecule of water in a condensation polymerisation reaction.Three amino acids form a tripeptide. Many amino acids form a polypeptide

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8
Q

In a polypeptide there is always one end with a free amino (NH2) (NH3 in solution) group, called theand one end with a free carboxyl (COOH) (COO in solution) group, called the

A

N terminusC terminus

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9
Q

What are the 4 levels of protein structure?

A

Primary StructureSecondary StructureTertiary StructureQuaternary Structure

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10
Q

what makes up the amino group?

A

NH2

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11
Q

what makes up the carboxylic acid group?

A

COOH

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12
Q

What does the R group do?

A

It gives the amino acid its specific characteristics

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13
Q

What is a dipeptide?

A

Two amino acids joined together in a condensation reaction

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14
Q

What bond is formed in a condensation reaction to form a dipeptide?

A

A peptide bond

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15
Q

What is the primiary structure of a protein?

A

A chain of amino acids

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16
Q

What is the secondary structure of a protein?

A

When the chain of amino acids is folded or twisted to form either an alpha helix or a beta pleated sheet held together with hydrogen bonds

17
Q

What is the tertiary structure of a protein?

A

The alpha and beta secondary structures are folded into random shapes by folding once more

18
Q

What bonds are used to keep the tertiary structure together?

A

Disulfide bonds - covalent and strong, Ionic bonds - weaker than disulfide and affected by changes in pH, Hydrgen bonds which are weak but many

19
Q

What is the quaternary structure of a protein?

A

lots of tertiary structures joined together using similar typed of bonds

20
Q

Example of a molecule which has quaternary structure

A

Haemoglobin

21
Q

what the difference between globular and fibrous proteins?

A

Globular proteins are used a lot in the metabolism whereas fibrous proteins are structural and they hold things together e.g. cartilage and keratin and collagen

22
Q

How do you test for proteins

A

Biuret Test

23
Q

How do you carry out the biuret test?

A

Add an equal volume of solution and biuret solution - if positive then it changes to a lilac colour

24
Q

What does the biuret solution detect?

A

Peptide bonds