UNIT 1 - B 1.2 - Proteins Flashcards
What do cells use the 20 amino acids to synthesize?
Polypeptides or proteins
What does a gene do for a polypeptide?
it codes each polypeptide
What determines the identity of a polypeptide?
the sequence of amino acids
Why does the shape of a protein matter?
It determines the protein’s function
What may happen if the structure of a protein changes?
It may not be able to function as it should
What are two environmental factors that could change the shape of protein?
termperature and pH
How do proteins become an alternate shape with certain temperatures or pH levels?
Chemical bonds within the protein may be created or broken, changing its shape
What is the structure of an amino acid?
an amine functional group bonded to a central carbon which has H and R, and a carboxyl functional group on the other side of the central carbon
What is the formula of an amine functional group?
NH2
What is the formula for a carboxyl functional group?
COOH
Where are the double bond(s) in the structure of an amino acid?
There’s one bonding carbon and oxygen in the carboxyl functional group
What is the R in the amino acid structure?
1 of the 20 variable groups/side chain
What kind of reaction takes place to form a depeptide?
condensation reaction
Where does the condensation reaction occur to form a dipeptide?
Between the OH of the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the H of an amine group of another amino acid
What is the word equation for the condensation reaction between two amino acids?
amino acid 1 + amino acid 2 = dipeptide + water
What is a peptide bond?
The bond between the C and N combining two amino acids after a condensation reaction
What is a polypeptide?
A chain of multiple amino acids together by peptide bonds
How many of the 20 amino acids can our cells synthesize?
11
Where do the other 9 amino acids come from?
Our diet
What are essential amino acids?
The 9 amino acids that we can only get from our diet
What is a good source of essential amino acids?
meat
What are non-essential amino acids?
The 11 amino acids that our bodies synthesize
How are the huge variety of polypeptides possible?
DNA codes for the number and order of amino acids within polypeptides, there are 20 different amino acids, polypeptides can vary in length, some polypeptides are modified by cells after their initial synthesis, amino acids can be arranged in any order
What are some examples of common polypeptides?
haemoglobin (found in red blood cells), keratin (found in hair, nails, claws, hooves), lipase (digestive enzyme), collagen (found in connective tissue), histones (proteins found in nucleus), insulin (hormone that helps regulate blood sugar)
What does the precise 3D shape of proteins result from?
Intramolecular bonds between amino acids such as hydrogen bonds
What is denaturation?
When proteins lose their shape and function
What happens when a fluid environment such as cytoplasm or blood plasma is flooded with either Hydrogen ions or OH ions?
The extra charges can prevent normal hydrogen bonding and the protein will lose its normal 3D shape
What happens when protein molecules are placed into an environment that is at a higher temperature than their physiological optimum?
the increased molecular motion puts stress on the weak hydrogen bonds and they cannot stay in place under the stress, therefore the protein loses its 3D shape
What would be the main reason why denaturation would not be reversible?
If the underlying polypeptide chain was damaged
How many different “R” groups are there for amino acids?
20
What do amine and carboxyl groups do when in a neutral aqueous solution?
They ionize
Why do amine and carboxyl groups ionize when they are in a neutral aqueous solution?
Because the carboxyl group acts as an acid and donates a hydrogen ion while the amine group acts as a base and accepts a hydrogen ion
What is a result in carboxyl and amine groups ionizing?
The carboxyl group has a negative net charge and the amine group has a positive net charge
What is the division of amino acids into polar and non-polar categories based on?
The “R” group
Which amino acids are hydrophobic
Hydrophobic= non-polar
How many amino acids are non-polar?
9
What does it mean for the “R” group if the amino acid is non-polar?
The “R” group is a hydrocarbon only
How many amino acids are polar?
6
What does it mean for the “R” group if the amino acid is polar?
The “R” group contains elements that form a polar covalent bond (oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur)
How many amino acids are polar due to a negative ionizing charge?
2
What does it meant for the “R” group if the amino acid is polar due to a negative ionizing charge?
the “R” group acts as an acid
How many amino acids are polar due to a positive ionizing charge?
3
What does it mean for the “R” group if the amino acid is polar due to a positive ionizing charge?
The “R” group acts as a base
What contains the genetic code for proteins?
DNA