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How the structure of proteins is related to their functions
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Why the Structure and Function of Proteins is Essential to Living Organisms Proteins, along with carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acid make up all life on earth, and without any one of these macromolecules, life on earth would not be able to continue. Proteins consist of amino acids joined together via peptide bonds to form polypeptides. There are 20 natural amino acids without which proteins couldn't exist. COOH | H-C-R | NH 2 Above is the general structure of an amino acid, the R represents the variable group, which varies with each amino acid, and affects the properties and behaviour of each amino acid. To form a protein the amino acid must bond with at least one other amino acid, forming a peptide bond. [IMAGE] As shown in the diagram Amino acids bond to form proteins which can bond with other amino acids or other proteins to form new proteins, therefore there is an infinite number of proteins which can be formed, each one having its own structure and function within living organisms. (1) (2) (3) There are four levels of construction within proteins and which level the protein is at determines the structure and function of that particular protein. The four levels are: Primary, Secondary, Tertiary and Quaternary. Primary structure makes up the most simple proteins, These fibrous proteins are made up of simple polymers of amino acids and are generally very long. They consist a polypeptide backbone running down the peptide bonds with the variable groups jutting out to the sides, as demonstrated in the diagram below. diagram of a polypept... ... middle of paper ... ...at, pressure and acidity. If the temperature rises excessively or the globular protein is put under immense pressure kinetic energy within the molecule will increase causing vibrations within the molecule to increase also. Eventually the hydrogen bonds holding protein in its 3D shape break irrevocably causing the molecule to 'unfold' and lose its shape. Also excess acidity causes the hydrogen bonds to break and has the same effect as excess heat. This is known as de-naturation of the protein. When this happens the proteins can no longer perform their functions because they no longer have the structure to do so; the key no longer fits the lock. This further proves a direct link between structure and function in that when the structure is proved even minutely, the protein can no longer carry out its metabolic function.
The shape of the protein chains that produce the building blocks and other structures used in life is mostly determined by weak chemical bonds that are easily broken and remade. These chains can shorten, lengthen, and change shape in response to the input or withdrawal of energy. The changes in the chains alter the shape of the protein and can also alter its function or cause it to become either active or inactive. The ATP molecule can bond to one part of a... ... middle of paper ... ...
The primary structure is the sequence of amino acids that make up a polypeptide chain. 20 different amino acids are found in proteins. The exact order of the amino acids in a specific protein is the primary sequence for that protein. [IMAGE] [IMAGE]Protein secondary structure refers to regular, repeated patterns of folding of the protein backbone. The two most common folding patterns are the alpha helix and the beta sheet.
This happens when the temperature is too high; the process is called “denaturing”. When an enzyme reaches a certain temperature, it will have so much energy that it is de-shaped; it is “denatured”. This diagram shows how a denatured enzyme will not work: [IMAGE] The enzymes will hardly work at very low temperatures (they wont be
Proteins are one of the main building blocks of the body. They are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. Even smaller units create proteins; these are called amino acids. There are twenty different types of amino acids, and all twenty are configured in many different chains and sequences, producing differing protein structures and functions. An enzyme is a specialized protein that participates in chemical reactions where they serve as catalysts to speed up said reactions, or reduce the energy of activation, noted as Ea (Mader & Windelspecht).
Abstract/Summary: “Proteins account for more than 50% of the dry weight of most cells, and they are instrumental in almost everything organisms do” (Campbell, 1999). The significance of proteins to the continuation of our biological systems is undeniable, and a study of how to quantify proteins seems an appropriate introduction to our studies of biology. In order to study proteins we must first know how to separate then quantify the amount using basic principles of experimental design such as a standard curve. In this experiment we wish to quantify the amount of previously extracted protein by measuring the absorbance of the unknown amount and determining its concentration by overlaying it against a standard curve of the absorbance of known concentrations of the protein. We used the dye agent Bradford Protein Assay to get an absorbance of 0.078, 0.143, 0.393, 0.473, and 0.527 at the protein’s respective concentrations of 0.28, 0.56, 0.84, 1.12, and 1.40 mg/mL. When a best-fit line was applied to the standard curve, and the absorbance of our unknown concentration (0.317 A) plotted, we estimated a concentration of around 0.84 mg/mL of protein. Our calculations indicated a quantity of 168 mg of protein, which was an approximately 8.96% yield of the projected 1875 mg that was expected. Errors that may have led to this small yield percentage may have stemmed from our previous lab and our initial attempts to extract the desired amount of protein.
The Structure and Function of Carbohydrates Large biological molecules are called macromolecules, there are giant molecules (polymers) made up of repeating units (monomers). Carbohydrates are one of the main classes of biological molecules. Macromolecule units (monomers) are joined together by condensation reactions and hydrolysis reactions split macromolecules down into their individual units. Carbohydrates are molecules that contain elements of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates have a 2:1 hydrogen to oxygen ratio, there are twice as many hydrogen atoms as oxygen atoms (the same proportion as in water).
Organisms have their own creative structures that helps them function properly. The main structure that has been discussed in the enzyme. A pure definition of an enzyme is a “protein that catalyzes a specific metabolic reaction” (Coleman,
...on dioxide, within the body, affecting the pH balance of the blood. This will then affect proteins within the body, being known as enzymes, which can only function if their surrounding environment is in balance. Any alteration to this environment, will prevent the enzymes from functioning effectively.
Protein have connection with amino acid to help in functions of: skin, muscle, hair and bones
n.d. - n.d. Peptides and Proteins. Proteins. Retrieved July 25, 2008, from http://www.cd http://www.cem.msu.edu/reusch/VirtualText/protein2.htm Ophardt, C. E. (2003).
In total, there are around 20 amino acids that the human body uses to build proteins.
Changes in pH lead to the breaking of the ionic bonds that hold the tertiary structure of the enzyme in place. The enzyme begins to lose. its functional shape, particularly the shape of the active site, such. that the substrate will no longer fit into it, the enzyme is said to. be denatured.
Hydrogen bonding- this bonding occurs between the hydrogen and oxygen or nitrogen between amino acids opposite each other. This bond occurs because the oxygen is slightly negative and the nitrogen/hydrogen is slightly positive so there is an attraction between them when they come close together. This is a fairly weak bond however it forms a vital part in helping the structure stay strong and in the right
Enzymes are one source of proteins in our body. They speed up chemical reactions such as the digestion of carbohydrates and the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. Enzymes increases the rate of the chemical reactions. Hormones found in our body is also a protein. Hormones are chemicals that are created in one part of the body and carry a messages to another organ. For example, glucagon and insulin are both hormones. They are made in the pancreas and travel throughout the body to regulate blood glucose. Fluid is present in most of the compartments of your body. Its within the cell, blood, and much more spaces. It's the minerals and protein that keep them balanced. Proteins are macronutrients that are too large to pass across the membrane, but since it attracts water they maintain proper fluid balance. Allowing your brain to go without glucose in times of starvation or low carbohydrate, the body will sacrifice proteins from your muscles/tissues in order to make new glucose from amino acids in a process called gluconeogenesis. Protein gives the structure to bones, teeth, and