Proteins and Amino Acids

How many amino acid building blocks are proteins made of

20

What does a non-ionized form of an amino acid look like?

the carboxyl group still has a hydrogen

What does an ionized form of an amino acid look like?

the amino group gains hydrogen, carboxyl loses it

Peptide Bonds

Bonds between amino acids

Condensation

monomer in, water out, forms peptide bond

Hydrolysis

Water in, monomer out, breaks peptide bond

Primary Protein Structure

sequence of amino acids in a chain

Secondary Protein Structure

backbone folds, alpha helix, beta pleated sheet

Tertiary Protein Structure

jumbled up, involves r-groups

Quaternary Protein Structure

several tertiary structures together

Prions

misfolding converts an alpha helix to an abnormal beta sheet

What is the polarity of amino acid side chains?

polar or nonpolar

What bonds hold together proteins?

Hydrogen bonds in the backbone

What diseases are caused by misfolded prions

CJD, mad cow disease, scrapie

What advantage do single bonds provide for protein structure?

flexibility

What functional group helps stabilize proteins and form cross-links between proteins?

sulfhydryl