Transcript Document
Proteins
Learning outcomes
• Describe the structure of an amino acid.
• Describe the formation and breakage of peptide
bonds in the synthesis and hydrolysis of
dipeptides and polypeptides.
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Proteins
Basic amino acid structure - glycine
Amino acid structure showing Rgroups (side chains)
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Proteins
Condensation and hydrolysis happens in the same way as in
polysaccharide formation
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Proteins
Explain the term primary structure.
The primary structure is just the sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide
chain
Primary structure of insulin
In insulin there are 2 polypeptide chains, each with its own primary
structure
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There are a huge number of possible combinations of amino acids that
can make up proteins.
A four-amino-acid structure like this has 160,000 (20x20x20x20) possible
forms, because each of the amino acids in the chain could be any one of the
20 that there are available.
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Proteins
Learning Outcomes
• Explain the term secondary structure with
reference to hydrogen bonding.
• Explain the term tertiary structure with reference
to hydrophobic and hydrophilic interactions,
disulphide bonds and ionic interactions.
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Proteins
The polypeptide chains are some times held in a spiral shape by hydrogen
bonds between the amino and carboxylic acid groups. This is called an
“Alpha Helix”
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Proteins
This ribbon diagram shows a number of alpha helices
linked together by less structured areas of the polypeptide
chain to form the final protein structure
Proteins
The secondary structures (alpha helices and beta pleated sheets) are held in
place by different kinds of bonds , this is the tertiary (third) level of structure
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Proteins
There are a number of bonds holding this structure together at the tertiary level.
Proteins
• The tertiary structure of proteins can be
DENATURED by heating.
• The heat increases the kinetic energy of the
molecule and makes parts of it vibrate faster.
• This means that the bonds (not co-valent) that
hold the protein in its globular shape are broken
and its complex shape will unravel.
• This is particularly important in enzymes as it is
the tertiary structure that defines the active site.
Proteins
Learning Outcomes
• Explain the term quaternary structure with
reference to the structure of haemoglobin.
• Describe the structure of a collagen molecule.
• Compare the structure and function of
haemoglobin and collagen.
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Haemoglobin
• Haemoglobin is a globular
protein that has a quaternary
structure
• This means it is made up of
more than one polypeptide
chain (it does not mean that all
quaternary proteins have 4
polypeptide components!)
• The polypeptide chains are
held together by similar bonds
as the tertiary structure
• The haem area is called a
“prosthetic” group. A molecule
of oxygen can bind to each
haem group
Proteins
Collagen molecules are made of repeating sequences of amino acids that form spiral
structures. (Far left picture)
Collagen protein is made of 3 polypeptide chains wound together rather like a rope.
Hydrogen bonds hold the chains together(second picture from left)
Each group of 3 chains is bonded to another group by co-valent bonds called cross
links, thus fibrils are formed
Many fibrils form a collagen fibre
Collagen is a STRUCTURAL protein rather than a globular or metabolic protein