Proteins Flashcards
What are proteins polymers of?
amino acids joined by peptide bonds, N terminal with C terminal of next aa
how many essential aa?
8 in adults, 9 in infants
what is an essential aa?
was that must be supplied by diet
give structure of glycine
COOHC(H)(H)NH2
does glycine form stereoisomers?
No as no chiral centre
What type of aa classifies glycine?
non-polar aliphatic
What type of aa classifies asparagine?
polar neutral
draw the r group of asparagine
-CH2-CONH2
name a sulphur containing aa and give its r group
cysteine, -CH2-SH
name a polar positively charged aa and give the r group
histidine
why is proline not a true aa?
has a NH rather than a NH2
describe phenylketonuria (PKU)
Deficiency in phenylalanine hydroxylase, genetic, leads to accumulation of intermediates which cause brain damage if left untreated
What is quaternary structure?
arrangement of protein subunits in multimeric proteins. Proteins held together by non-covalent bonds
give an example of a protein which exhibits quaternary structure
immunoglobin (antibody) consists of 2 light chains and 2 heavy chains joined by disulfied bridges and h bonds. Haemoglobin- 2 alpha globin chains and 2 beta globin chains each with a haem group (Fe atom and porphyrin ring),etc
Proteins provide structure, give an example
Collagen in bones, tendons and skin
what is the most abundant protein in mammals?
collagen
Name the 5 functions of proteins in the body
Structure, transport molecules, defence, biological catalysts, regulation of genes(lac repressor)
Name a protein involved in transport
haemoglobin, LDL
Name the protein in the LDL molecule
apolipoprotein B
What does the LDL receptor do?
It takes up LDL particles and facilitates internalisation
what causes familial hypocholesterolemia?
A mutation in the LDL receptor gene so less LDL absorbed so LDL levels in blood are high leading to atherosclerosis/ coronary heart disease
Name a defence protein
antibody/ immunoglobin
Give an example of a biological catalyst
Lysozyme
Describe action of lysozyme
Specific receptor site binds to polysaccharide chain, Enzyme-substrate complex forms, enzyme-product complex forms, product is release and enzyme remains unchanged, ready for next specific substrate
Describe lac Repressor
The lac repressor binds to DNA and prevents expression of the gene in the absence of lactose. This controls the production of lactase enzymes metabolising lactose in bacteria
What role do some proteins have regarding genes?
they can regulate genes/ control their expression
how many aas in a protein?
50 plus
no. of aa in body
20
What makes cysteine special (think 3rd structure)?
it can form disulphide bonds
Give the equilibrium constant (Ka) equation
KA= [H+][A-]/{HA]