Proteins

Question 1

What are proteins?

Answer 1

Proteins are nitrogen-containing compounds with many functions in the human body.

Question 2

Give an example of a protein:

Answer 2

An enzyme is a example of proteins which is sometimes described as biological catalyst.

Question 3

What are proteins made up of?

Answer 3

Proteins are made up of small molecules known as amino acids.

Question 4

What group do amino acids contain?

Answer 4

Amino acids contain an amine group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Question 5

What is splitting up of a protein into amino acids known as:

Answer 5

Hydrolysis reaction

Question 6

What are essential amino acids?

Answer 6

Essential amino acids are those amino acids required by the body which cannot be made by the body and therefore must be obtained from the diet.

Question 7

What does making a protein involve?

Answer 7

• Making a protein involves several amino acid molecules reacting together to form a protein molecule.
• This reaction involves the amine group reacting with the carboxyl group to form an amide link which is also known as the peptide link.