PROTEINS Flashcards
What are amino acids?
They are the building blocks of proteins, consisting of an amino group (-NH₂) and a carboxyl group (-COOH) attached to a carbon atom and an R group that varies between amino acids.
What is a peptide bond?
The bond formed by condensation reactions between amino acids.
What is a dipeptide?
Two amino acids joined by a peptide bond.
What is a polypeptide?
A long chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds.
What are fibrous proteins?
Proteins that have long, parallel polypeptide chains with occasional cross-linkages that form into fibres, but with little tertiary structure.
What is a disulfide bond?
A strong covalent bond formed as a result of an oxidation reaction between sulfur groups in cysteine or methionine molecules, which are close together in the structure of a polypeptide.
What are globular proteins?
Large proteins with complex tertiary and sometimes quaternary structures, folded into spherical (globular) shapes.
What is haemoglobin?
A large conjugated protein involved in transporting oxygen in blood, and gives the erythrocytes their red colour.
What is collagen?
A strong fibrous protein with a triple helix structure.
What is denaturation?
The loss of the 3D shape of a protein, e.g. as a result of temperature change or pH.
What is a prosthetic group?
The molecule that is incorporated in a conjugated protein.
What is a glycoprotein?
A protein with a carbohydrate prosthetic group.
What is a protease?
A protein-digesting enzyme.
What is a lipoprotein?
A protein with a lipid prosthetic group.
What do proteins do in the body? (5)
- Form enzymes needed for metabolism & digestion.
- Enable muscle fibres to contract.
- Form antibodies that protect from disease.
- Help clot blood.
- Form hair, skin and nails.
What are proteins?
A group of macromolecules made up of many small monomer units called amino acids joined together by condensation reactions.
How many naturally occurring amino acids are there?
20.