Proteins are polymers. What are the monomers needed to make them?
Amino Acids
In order to assemble amino acids into proteins, your body needs a blueprint. What kind of molecule is the blueprint?
DNA is a molecular set of instructions that tells your body how to assemble amino acids in the correct order needed to make proteins.
NH2 is what kind of functional group found on an amino acid? REMEMBER! "R" simply refers to the "Rest of the Molecule".
An amino group
This functional group, that is found on an amino acid, is called _____________.
A carboxyl group
In this model of an amino acid, what does the R stand for?
R refers to the variable group, or side chain, which is the rest of the molecule that makes it different from other amino acids.
What kind of chemical bond is being formed here?
A peptide bond. This is a special kind of covalent bond formed between two amino acids.
What kind of chemical reaction is taking place here?
You can call it a reduction reaction. HOWEVER! Specifically, it is a dehydration synthesis reaction.
What kind of chemical reaction is taking place here?
You can call this oxidation. HOWEVER! Specfically, it is a hydrolysis reaction because water is needed to break the covalent bond.
True or False. When amino acids are covalently bonded together, the two carboxyl groups, found on the amino acids, need to be attached together.
False! It is the amino group of one amino acid that needs to be connected to the carboxyl group of the other.
Insulin is a protein-based hormone your body needs to regulate blood sugar. What kind of protein structure is it made of?
Primary structure. It is simply a bunch of amino acids covalently bonded into a flat chain.
The Alpha Helix is an example of what kind of protein structure?
Secondary structure. Here you have a bunch of primary structures bonded together. Yes, there is a twisty shape, but it is made from one flat sheet.
The beta sheet is an example of what kind of protein structure?
Secondary structure. Yes, there are folds, but it is made from one sheet of several primary structures.
The human immune system requires proteins such as ____________ and __________ to work efficiently.
Antigens and Antibodies
Hemoglobin is made of several different "blobs" of alpha helices connected with hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions. What level of protein structure is this HUGE molecule at?
Quaternary structure
