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Biomolecular science
Amino acids, peptides and proteins- Preparation for summer exams- Nutrtition and Dietetics- Stage 1 -Robert Gordon University
84
Science
Undergraduate 1
04/29/2008

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Term
list the 6 functions of proteins
Definition
Hormones, transport, structure, storage, Locomotion, Catalysis
Term
Amino acids
Definition
Peptides and proteins are made up of amino acids joined together by peptide bonds.
Term
What is the general structure of amino acids?
Definition
H
|
NH2-C-COOH
|
R

The central carbon is referred to as the alpha carbon.
Term
Do most naturally occuring amino acids have D or L configuration?
Definition
Both D and L configuration occurs but most naturally occurring amino acids have L-configuration.
Term
List the general properties of amino acids.
Definition
Colourless
Crystalline solids
High Melting poin and decompose on melting
Moderately soluble in water.
All the characteristics of ionic compounds.
Term
What is a zwitterion??
Definition
A molecule or ion having separate positively and negatively charged groups.
Amino acids are amphoteric, they have both an acidic group (COOH) and a basic group (NH2)
Term
How are amino acids classified?
Definition
Amino acids are classified by the properties of their side chains.
Term
Hydrophobic side chain
Definition
Water "fearing"
non-polar side chain
Term
Hydrophilic side chain
Definition
water "loving"
polar, uncharged chains, negatively charged chains, positively charged chains.
Term
Peptides
Definition
Amino acids can be linked together by an amide bond between the carboxylic group of one amino acid and the alpha-amino group of another amino acid. This link is called a peptide bond.
Term
Why is rotation around the peptide bond restricted?
Definition
Rotation about the peptide bond is restricted due to resonance. The peptide bond has some double bond character.
Term
List the 4 levels of protein structure.
Definition
Primary structure: amino acid residues
Secondary structure: alpha-helix
Tertiary structure: Polypeptide chain
Quaternary structure: Assembled subunits
Term
Explain the primary structure of protein.
Definition
Amino acid sequence and chain length/size (in daltons)
Involves the covalent peptide bonds in a protein.
The primary structure determines the physiological, structural and biological properties and functions of a protein.
ms: sickle cell anaemia
Term
What does the 1˚structure determine?
Give an example
Definition
The primary structure determines the physiological, structural and biological properties and functions of a protein.

MS: The 6th position in the normal ß chain of haemoglobin has glutamic acid, while a sickle ß chain has valine.
Blocked blood vessels can cause pain, serious infections and organ damage
Term
Explain the secondary structure of proteins.
Definition
Seconday structure is the arrangement in spce of the atoms in the backbone of the protein.
The shape depends on the geometry of the peptide bond and local hydrogen bonding.
Term
Explain local hydrogen bonding.
Definition
Local hydrogen bonding occurs between the amides in two peptide bonds.
The H on the N of the first amide, bonds with the carbonyl O of the amide.

/ \
O=C N-H
\ /
N-H...O=C
/ \
Term
What are the two major types of secondary structure?
Definition
Regular, repeating structure
Random coil/irregular structure.
Term
What properties does secondary structure bring to a protein?
Definition
Strength, insolubility, fibrous and flexibility.
Term
Explain the structure of the alpha helix.
Definition
The helix is stabilised by hydrogen bonds formed between the amide hydrogen of one peptide bond and the carbonyl oxygen above it which is located in the next turn of the helix.

Side chain (R groups) are directed outwards.
Term
Explain the structure of ß-pleated sheets.
Definition
Peptide chains adopt the conformation of a sheet of paper and the structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonds between peptide bonds.
Some of the strands are parallel and some are antiparallel depending on the relative direction of the peptide chains.
Term
Explain the tertiary structure of proteins.
Definition
Further folding of the secondary structure gives overall 3 dimensional shape- involves side chain interaction.

Protein function is derived from the 3D structure (conformations)
Term
Disulphide crosslinks:
Definition
Covalent bonds between cysteine residues.
Term
Hydrophobic attractions
Definition
attractions between R groups of non-polar amino acids.
Term
Hydrogen bonding:
Definition
Interaction between polar amino acid R groups
Term
Ionic bonding
Definition
bonding between oppositely charged amino acid R groups.
Term
Name the 4 types of bonds involved in 3˚ structure of protein.
Definition
Disulphide crosslinks, hydrophobic attraction, hydrogen bonding, ionic bonding.
Term
Explain the quaternary structure of proteins.
Definition
Many proteins are not single peptide strands but are combinations of several polypeptides.
These may exist as dimers, trimers, tetramers etc.
Subunits are usually identical
Term
What is the pH of milk?
Definition
The pH of milk is 6.6
This is related to ß-lactoglobulin
ß-lactoglobulin acts as a dimer between pH5-pH8
Term
ß-lactoglobulin acts as a .... between pH5-8
Definition
ß-lactoglobulin acts as a dimer between pH5-8
Term
ß-lactoglobulin acts as an .... between pH3-5
Definition
ß-lactoglobulin acts as an octomer between pH3-5
Term
ß-lactoglobulin acts as a .... above pH8
Definition
ß-lactoglobulin acts as a monomer above pH8
Term
Define fibrous proteins
Definition
water insoluble structural materials in animals. MS: keratins, collagens (cartilage & tendons).
Term
List the properties of fibrous proteins
Definition
Primary structure is repetitive
They tend to lack chemically-reactive side groups.
Term
List 4 practical samples of fibrous proteins.
Definition
hair, feathers, wool, fur, horn, hoof, nail, shell, tendons, cartilage, skin
Term
List the general properties of alpha-Keratin
Definition
It has a rope like structure based on the alpha helix which is cross-linked into bundles.
It can be very extensible
MS: wool fibres can be stretched to twice its length as hydrogen bonds between turns of the alpha-helix are broken.
Term
In hair alpha-helices are held together by what type of bonding?
Definition
In hair alpha-helices are held together by disulphide crosslinks.
Term
What bond helps to resist the stretch and to restore a stretched fibre to its original length?
Definition
S-S bonds
Term
The degree of S-S bridging determines ...?
Definition
The degree of S-S bridging determines the properties of the keratin.
Term
Soft keratin results in ... properties of keratin.
Definition

Soft keratins result in flexible, extensible properties and are low sulphur.

MS: skin 

Term
Hard keratins result in .... properties of the keratin.
Definition

Hard keratins result in  high sulphur properties in keratin.

MS: horn (less flexible, less extensible) 

Term
List the properties of collagen
Definition

It is the most abundant protein in mammals.

It is secreted by the cells of connective tissue.

It is a major component of cartilage, skin, blood vessels and bone.

It occurse in a triple helix form 

Term
What is a tropocollagen?
Definition
The three left-handed helix of the protein collagen.
Term
What properties does the tropocollagen bring to the collagen protein?
Definition
The triple helix tightens under tension, resisting stretching, making collagen inextensible.
Term
List the physical properties of the three strand keratin helix
Definition
  1. It has a repetitive 1˚structure.
  2. It has bulky proline and hydroxyproline side chain rings.
  3. It has a tendency of chains to form left-handed helices spontaneously.
  4. Glycine at every third position sits in the interior of the helix where there is little space.
  5. Proline and Hydroxyproline R groups point outward. 
Term
The collective term for many collagen strands is...
Definition
Fibres
Term
Fibres are stabilised by which two types of bonds?
Definition
These fibres are stabilised by extensice interchain hydrogen bonding and some covalent S-S cross-links.
Term
Three properties of collagen fibres are:
Definition
  1. Stability
  2. Tensile strength
  3. Rigidity
Term
Give an example of collagen fibres
Definition
Silk - extensible and very strong.
Term
List four functions of globular proteins.
Definition
Enzymes, hormones, transport, storage.
Term
Describe the characteristics of globular proteins.
Definition

Globular proteins are water soluble,

They are roughly spherical in shape,

They are intricately folded so that hydrophobic side chains are tucked inside away from water,

Examples are enzymes and hormones. 

Term
Myoglobin is....
Definition

Myoglobin is the oxygen-holding protein in muscle tissue. 

Term
Myoglobin is made from...
Definition

Myoglobin consists of one polypeptide unit, of which 75% is an alpha-helix, with is further folded.

Myoglobin also has a non-protein group (a prosthetic group) called a haem which holds the oxygen molecule. 

Term
Haemoglobin is made from...
Definition

1unit of haemoglobin is made up of 4 polypeptide molecules called globins.

The globins are held together by electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonds. 

Term

Haemoglobin has a...

  1. primary structure?
  2. Secondary structure?
  3. Tertiary structure?
  4. Quaternary structure? 
Definition
Haemoglobin is made up of 4 globins therefore it has a quaternary structure.
Term
Globins are held together by _______ and _____.
Definition
Globins are held together by electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonds.
Term

In haemoglobin the haem groups carry what?

In 1 unit of haemoglobin how many haem groups are there? 

Definition
The 4 haem groups carry O2 and CO2
Term
Denaturation
Definition

Denaturation involves the disruption and possible distruction of both the secondayr and tertiary structures while peptide bonds remain.

 

To destroy the characteristic properties by heat, acidity, or other effects that disrupt its molecular conformation. 

Term
List the effects of denaturation.
Definition

Disorganised protein will no longer act as intended.

They will tend to clump together -coagulate/precipitate. 

Term
Causes of denaturation
Definition
Heat, acidity etc.
Term
Is protein denaturation reversible?
Definition

For a few small proteins, it is possible to find conditions that reverse denaturation (refolding).

But it is irreversible for most proteins. 

Term
Excessive heating of proteins can result in...
Definition
Denaturation
Term
Excessive heating of proteins in acid conditions can result in....
Definition

Hyrolyisis.

Heating in acid conditions can result in the protein being reduced to simpler peptides and amino acids ie. breakage of peptide linkages. 

Term
What is the effect of neutral/basic pH on proteins (in general!)?
Definition

In nuetral/basic solution groups lose H:

 

COOH --> COO- 

 

In basic amino acids the side chain charge changes with pH. 

Term
What is the effect of neutral/acid pH on proteins?
Definition

In neutral/acid solutions groups gain H:

 

 

NH2 -->  NH3+ 

 

In acid amino acids the side chain charge canges with pH 

Term
What is the effect of neutral pH on proteins?
Definition

Groups can either lose or gain H

In neutral amino acids the side chain charge doesn't change with pH 

Term
look at slide no. 67 amino acids, peptides and proteins.
Definition
Term
State the general rule of pKa
Definition

If pH of a solution is less than the pKa, the H+ is on.

If pH is higher than the pKa the H+ is off. 

Term
What can we predict with the knowledge of pKa?
Definition
Knowing the pKa values of particular groups allows us to predict its form at particular pH's.
Term
Are proteins amphoteric?
Definition
yes. Proteins have a large number of potentially charged groups and demonstrate amphoteric properties similar to those of amino acids.
Term
Why do protein exhibit amphoteric properties?
Definition
Proteins have a large number of potentially charged groups and demonstrates amphoteric properties similar to those of amino acids.
Term
What overall effect will changing pH have on proteins?
Definition
Changing pH will alter the overall charge on protein which alters their solubility and possibly their shape.
Term
Define isoelectric point.
Definition

The isoelectric point is the pH at which the total charge on the protein molecule is zero (no net electric charge)

 

The isoelectric point varies between proteins. 

Term
At a pH below the isoelectric point the protein will have what charge?
Definition
At pH below the isoelectric point it has a positive charge overall.
Term
At pH above the isoelectric point the protein will have what charge?
Definition
At pH above the isoelectric point it has a negative charge overall.
Term
What prevents aggregation in proteins?
Definition
Charged proteins repulse each other preventing aggregation.
Term
At what point to proteins tend to aggregate?
Definition
At the isoelectric point proteins tend to aggregate and are in their least soluble undenatured form.
Term
At what point are proteins at their least soluble, undenatured form?
Definition
At the isoelectric point.
Term
List three properties of proteins at the isoelectric point.
Definition
  1. Proteins tend to aggregate.
  2. Proteins are in their least soluble form.
  3. Proteins are in their undenatured form.
Term
What does electrophoresis do?
Definition
Electrophoresis is a method of separating positively charged proteins from negatively charged proteins.
Term
Name one type of complex protein.
Definition
Lipoproteins or glycoproteins.
Term
Lipoprotein =
Definition

Lipoprotein = protein + lipid.

 

MS: toxins, blood, membrane & transport proteins, anitigens. 

Term
List the properties of lipoproteins and give examples.
Definition

Made from protein and lipid.

May be covalently or non-covaelntly linked.

Lipoproteins in the blood carry fats around the body. 

MS: toxins, blood, membrane proteins, transport proteins, antigens. 

Term
Glycoproteins =
Definition
Glycoprotein = proteins + carbohydrates.
Term

List the properties of glycoproteins.

give examples 

Definition

Made from proteins and carbohydrates.

Usually proteins with oligosaccharides covalently attached.

MS: antibodies, cell surface proteins (receptors), hormones. 

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