Unit 1 Cells and Proteins: Key Area 2 - Protiens (Structure) Flashcards
What is a distinguishing feature of proteins?
There folded nature and ability to bind specifically to other molecules.
What are proteins polymers of?
Amino acids.
What are the 2 functional groups of amino acids?
The amine and acid group.
What does the wide range of functions carried out by proteins result from?
The wide range of functions carried out by proteins results from the diversity of R groups.
What determine the structure of the protein?
The sequence of amino acids.
What makes each amino acid different?
The R-group.
What are the 5 components of an amino acid?
The amine group, acid group, R-group, hydrogen atom and central carbon.
What are amino acids linked together by and what does this produce?
Peptide bonds which produces a polypeptide.
What are the 4 main R-groups of amino acids?
Polar, Hydrophobic, Acidic (Negatively charged), Basic (Positively charged).
What can the R-group of amino acids vary in?
Size, shape, charge, hydrogen bonding capacity and chemical reactivity. They can be as simple as hydrogen or as complex as a chain with rings.
What are the key features of an aAcidic R-group?
- Ends with a negatively charged group.
- Hydrophilic.
- Key component is a carboxylic acid group - COOH.
What are the key features of a Basic R-group?
- Ends with a positively charged group.
- Hydrophilic.
- Key component of their R-group is an amine group.
What are the key features of a Polar R-group?
- Slightly charged.
- Hydrophilic.
- Key component: carbonyl (CO), (OH) or amine (NH).
What are the key features of a Hydrophobic R-group?
- Hydrophobic.
- Do not have charged.
- Non-Polar.
- Key component is a hydrocarbon - CH3, long chain of CH and rings
What are the other levels of protein structure other than the sequence and binding of amino acids?
- Primary Structure
- Secondary Structure
- Tertiary Structure
- Quaternary Structure
What is the primary structure?
The primary structure is the sequence in which the amino acids are synthesised into the polypeptide.
What happens in the primary structure?
Amino acids link by peptide bonds to from a polypeptide.
Due to the make up of amino acids, what does the primary structure have?
A n-terminal and c-terminal.
What results in regions of a secondary structure?
Hydrogen bonding along the backbone of the protein strand results in regions of secondary structure.
What are the 3 types of secondary structure?
- Alpha Helix
- Beta Sheets
- Turns
How are Alpha Helix formed?
By twisting the polypeptide chain into a spiral/helix then stabilising with hydrogen bonds. Where the R-group sticks out.
What are the 2 types of beta sheet?
- Parallel: the chains run in the same direction.
- Anti-parallel: the chains run in opposite directions.
What is the structure of beta sheets like?
The beta sheet has parts of the chain running alongside each other, forming a sheet. The R-groups sit above and below the sheet.
What stabilises the alpha helix?
Hydrogen bonding.
What is the structure of turns like?
They reverse the direction of the polypeptide chain and the chain folds back on itself.
What is the tertiary structure?
The final folded shape of the polypeptide.