Proteins - Retrieval Questions 1

What chemical elements do proteins contain?

Carbon
Hydrogen
Oxygen
Nitrogen
(Sometimes) Sulphur

What are proteins?

They are organic molecules.

What are the functions of proteins?

Structural roles, for example, they are a part of muscles.
Metabolic roles, like in enzymes.
Transport roles of substances, for example, in haemoglobin.

What are the monomers of proteins?

Amino Acids

What are amino acids?

They are monomer units used to make proteins.
All amino acids have the same basic structure with different R groups.

How many naturally occuring amino acids are there?

20

How are the 20 amino acids different?

They are different R groups.

How do the R groups vary?

In the size, polarity and charge.

What happens if the R groups vary?

They have different properties.

What is the first structure of proteins?

The primary structure.

What happens when a polypeptide is made?

The order of the amino acids determines the primary structure of the protein.

Define the primary structure of a protein.

The sequence of amino acids.

What are the polypeptides made of?

Hundred of amino acids.

Why do proteins have unique structures?

Because there is endless combinations of amino acids.

What are the two types of secondary protein structures?

Alpha helix
Beta pleated sheet

What do all amino acids contain when bonded in a chain?

-C=O group and a -NH group.

Why does hydrogen bonding occur between amino acids?

Because hydrogen in the -NH is slightly positive and the oxygen is -C=O is slightly negative.

In alpha helix, what occurs to the polypeptide chain?

It coils.

In alpha helix, why does the polypeptide chain in beta pleated chains?

Due to the hydrogen bonds that keep the coil strong.

What happens to the polypeptide chain in beta pleated chains?

The chains for a zig-zag and fold over themselves.