Amino Acids and Proteins

What defines an amino acid?

its R group

Amino acids are the building blocks of

proteins

A chain of amino acids linked together by a peptide bond is?

a polypeptide

What links amino acids?

peptide bonds

Large polypeptides are called

proteins

About half of amino acids required by human for protein synthesis are produced?

in vivo(in the body)

essential amino acids

Amino acids that are needed, but cannot be made by the body; they must be eaten in foods

semi-essential amino acids

body might not be able to produce these amino acids if you are sick or have a condition

nonessentiall amino acids

the human body can synthesize adequate amount of this AA. No dietary supplement is required

How many amino acids are there?

20 amino acids(technically 21)

Aminoacidopathies

Class of inherited errors of metabolism in which there is an enzyme defect that inhibits the body's ability to metabolize certain amino acids

All enzymes are proteins but

not all proteins are enzymes

Proteins consits of

Carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfer

Four levels of protein structure

1. Primary

2. Secondary

3. Tertiary

4. Quaternary

Primary structure

The first level of protein structure; the specific sequence of amino acids making up a polypeptide chain.

Secondary structure

Arrangements stabilized by hydrogen bonds. This adds strength and flexibility to the proteins

tertiary structure

The entire shape of the protein molecule. This is called the FOLD. 3D form of the protein. Function and chemical properties of proteins are related to the tertiary structure

Quaternary

made up of subunits