3.3.1

Overview of Protein Structure

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Polypeptides

Amino acids are the monomers that join together to form polymers called polypeptides (proteins).

Structure of proteins

Structure of proteins

  • Proteins are made up of amino acids.
  • Dipeptides are formed from the condensation of two amino acids.
  • Polypeptides are formed by the condensation of many amino acids.
Structure of amino acids

Structure of amino acids

  • Each amino acid has a central carbon atom (alpha carbon).
  • There are four atoms or groups of atoms bonded to the central carbon atom:
    • NH2 (an amino group).
    • COOH (a carboxyl group).
    • H (a hydrogen atom).
    • R (a side group).
R groups

R groups

  • The R group is different in each amino acid.
  • The R group determines how the amino acid interacts and bonds with other amino acids in the polypeptide.
Essential amino acids

Essential amino acids

  • There are 20 different types of amino acids that are common in all organisms.
    • 10 of these are essential amino acids in humans because the human body cannot produce them and they are obtained from the diet.
Glycine

Glycine

  • Glycine is an example of an amino acid.
  • Glycine has a hydrogen atom in its R group.
  • Glycine is the only amino acid that does NOT have a carbon atom in its R group.

Peptide Bond

Each amino acid is attached to another amino acid as a result of a condensation reaction. These reactions cause peptide bonds to form.

Polypeptides

Polypeptides

  • Polypeptides are made from chains of amino acids.
  • There are amino acids at each end of the polypeptide chain.
  • These amino acids from the two end terminals:
    • The N-terminal (amino terminal).
    • The C-terminal (carboxyl terminal).
The peptide bond

The peptide bond

  • When two amino acids react together, a bond forms between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of a second amino acid.
  • One water molecule is released as a by-product.
  • The bond formed between two amino acids is a covalent bond called a peptide bond.
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1

Principles of Science I

1.1

Structure & Bonding

1.2

Properties of Substances

1.3

Cell Structure & Function

1.4

Cell Specialisation

1.5

Tissue Structure & Function

1.6

Working with Waves

1.7

Waves in Communication

2

Practical Scientific Procedures and Techniques

3

Science Investigation Skills

4

Principles of Science II

4.1

Extracting Elements

4.2

Relating Properties to use of Substances

4.3

Organic Chemistry

4.4

Energy Changes in Industry

4.5

The Circulatory System

4.6

Ventilation & Gas Exchange

4.7

Urinary System

4.8

Cell Transport

4.9

Thermal Physics

4.10

Materials

4.11

Fluids

5

Contemporary Issues in Science

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