Proteins Flashcards
1
Q
What are Proteins?
A
- polymers of amino acids which range in size (small to very very large)
- (folding is crucial to the function of the protein and is influenced largely by its sequence)
2
Q
How can amino acids be structured?
A
- can be non-ionized or ionized
- can have non-polar, polar, or partially charge side chains (amino or carboxylic)
3
Q
How do you number an amino acid?
A
From N-Terminus to C-Terminus
4
Q
What is the primary structure of a protein and how many different proteins are possible?
A
- Polypeptide backbone
- 2 kinds of amino acids; 100aa in one protein= 20^100 =10^130 possible combinations
5
Q
Why can polypeptides flex?
A
- Because groups on either side of each peptide bond can rotate about their single bonds
- Hydrogen bonds form between peptide chains
6
Q
What are the secondary structures of proteins?
A
- alpha - Helix
- Every double bonded O bonds to hydrogen on every 4th Nitrogen
- beta - Pleated Sheets
- Hydrogen bonds occur across sheets
- R Groups point out of the structure
- Peptide backbone hydrogen bonds determine secondary structure
7
Q
How are tertiary structures determined?
A
- interactions between secondary structures and their side chains
8
Q
How are quaternary structures made?
A
- made up of tertiary structures and held together by similar bonds
