AP Bio Proteins + Nucleic Acids

protein

a molecule that consists of one or more polypeptide chains folded into a specific conformation

polypeptide chain

polymer of amino acids

conformation

3 dimensional shape of a molecule

protein functions

structural support

protein functions

storage of amino acids

protein functions

transport (ex. hemoglobin)

hemoglobin

carries oxygen in the blood

protein functions

signaling (chemical messenger)

protein functions

cellular response to chemical signal (receptor proteins)

protein functions

movement (contractile proteins)

protein functions

defense against foreign substances (antibodies)

protein functions

catalysts (enzymes)

protein functions

movement through cells (active transport)

amino acids

all proteins are made from just 20 of these

amino acid

building block of a protein that consists of a carbon bonded to a(n) hydrogen atom, carboxyl group, amino group, variable group (R group)(side group)

conformation

its shape tells you what it does

native conformation

the functional conformation of a protein under normal biological conditions

native conformation

allows a protein to fit together with other molecules

native conformation

is determined by the order of amino acids in the chain

native conformation

is held together by hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding between side groups, and Van der Wall interactions

primary structure

the order of amino acids in the chain

primary structure

determined by genes (DNA)

primary structure

slight change can change the function of a protein

primary structure

can be sequenced in the lab

secondary structure

regular repeated coiling and folding of a protein's polypeptide backbone

alpha helix

a common secondary structure that is helical and stabilized by a hydrogen bond between every fourth peptide bond

beta pleated sheet

sheet of antiparallel chains folded into accordian style

tertiary structure

the 4 dimensional shape of a protein due to bonding of side chains, hydrophobic interactions, and Van der Wall interactions

quaternary structure

structure due to the interactions between several polypeptide chains

denaturation

a process that alters a protein's native conformation and therefore their function

denatured protein

transfer to nonpolar solvent

denatured protein

chemical agents that disrupt hydrogen bonding

denatured protein

excessive heat

denatured protein

change in pH

nucleic acid

a polymer of nucleotides that are used to store and transmit hereditary information

nucleic acid types

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA)