Proteins And Enzymes Flashcards
What is a protein?
Polymers made up from many amino acids joined by peptide bonds
What is an amino acid?
The monomers from which proteins are made
What is a peptide bond?
The bond between amino acids in the primary structure of all proteins
What is the structure of an amino acid?
Carboxyl group (-COOH), amine group (-NH2), R group (variable region) ans a hydrogen all attached to a carbon atom
types of proteins?
fibrous (simple rope like structure) and globular (complex tertiary structure)
Proteins
The doing molecule
Their shape (tertiary/quaternary structure) determines their function
Their shape is controlled by their internal bonding (mostly between their R groups)
The order/sequence of amino acids (primary structure) controls their shape and therefore their function
How are dipeptides and polypeptides formed?
Amino acids are linked by condensation reactions.
A molecule of water is released.
Bonds formed between amino acids = peptide bond.
primary structure
The sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain
secondary structure
The long chains of amino acids fold into regions (within the tertiary structure) with repeating patterns. Peptide bonds and hydrogen bonds
tertiary structure
W The final 3D resting shape of the protein. Peptide bonds, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds (between negative and positive charges on different parts of the molecule, R groups). Disulfide bridges (between 2 cystein amino acids)
quaternary structure
The final 3D resting shape of the protein made from more than one polypeptide chain. Peptide bonds, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds and disulfide bonds.
The biuret test for proteins
- Make the solution alkaline by adding a few drops of sodium hydroxide solution. Then add copper (II) sulfate solution. DONT HEAT.
- If colour changed from pale blue to lilac then a protein is present.
This is a qualitative test. To make it quantitative you could use a colorimeter.
What are enzymes?
Biological catalysts that increase the rate of reaction by lowering the activation energy
What is the active site?
The region of an enzyme where a complementary substance can bind to form an enzyme substrate complex
What is a metabolic pathway?
Series of enzyme catalysed reactions where the product of one reaction is the reactant in the next reaction e.g respiration
Why does an enzyme substrate complex lower the activation energy?
Two substrates need to be joined holding them together which reduces any repulsion between molecules so can bond easily
If enzyme is catalysing a breakdown reaction fitting into active site puts a strain on bonds in the substrate so break up more easily
What is the lock and key model?
Past theory of enzyme action
Shape of the active site is fixed so does not change shape
Active site is complementary to the substrate before during and after it forms an enzyme substrate complex
What is the induced fit model?
Modern theory of enzyme
Active site and substrate are not complementary before enzyme substrate complex is formed
Active site changes shape to fit more closely around the substrate to become complementary (induced fit)
Forming an enzyme substrate complex strains the bonds in the substrate causing them to form or break (activation energy is lowered)
Notes on enzymes
All enzymes are proteins
Enzymes have a specific tertiary structure (their active site is only complementary to one substrate) e.g maltase only hydrolyses maltose
Control all intercellular and extra cellular reactions in organisms
How does enzyme specificity work
The specific tertiary structure of the active site is complementary to the shape of one substrate forming an enzyme substrate complex
When is an enzyme denatured
An increase in kinetic energy breaks the hydrogen and ionic bonds between the r groups changing the tertiary structure of the protein.
When does mutation occur?
Change to the base sequence of DNA changes the base sequence of mRNA changing the primary structure of the protein- change to tertiary structure of protein
How do mutation and denaturing lead to a non functional enzyme
Changes the shape of the active site. Substrate is no longer complementary so no enzyme substrate complex is formed
What does denatured mean?
A permanent change to the active site which means no more E-S complexes are formed