Topic 2.4 - Proteins

Question 1

What is a protein’s smallest sub-unit ?

Answer 1

Amino acids

Question 2

What is an amino acid’s structure ?

Answer 2

One carbon atom in the middle
One Hydrogen atom linked to the Carbon atom
One amine group (H2N)
One carboxyl group (COOH)
One R group (variable)

Question 3

What are the four types of biochemical proteins ?

Answer 3

Primary
Secondary
Tertiary
Quaternary

Question 4

What bonds link amino acids together ?

Answer 4

Peptide bonds

Question 5

What is a polypeptide ?

Answer 5

An unbranched chain of amino acids

Question 6

What is the conformation of a protein like ?

Answer 6

It is three dimensional

Question 7

What is denaturation ?

Answer 7

The damaging of the conformation of a protein

Question 8

Give two examples of what can cause denaturation

Answer 8

Heat and pH

Question 9

Give example of proteins and their functions

Answer 9

Rubisco : enzyme - catalyses photosynthesis reaction and fixes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Insulin : hormone - controls blood sugar levels
Immunoglobulins : antibody - fights pathogens
Rhodopsin : pigment - makes cells of the retina light-sensitive
Collagen : structural protein - prevents fractures in ligaments and tendons
Spider silk : structural protein - used by spider to make their webs

Question 10

What is a proteome ?

Answer 10

All the proteins produced by a cell, tissue or organism