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Questions and Answers
Tryptophan converts to ______, which affects mood and sleep.
serotonin
Aspartic acid contributes to the formation of ______.
urea
The primary structure of proteins is a sequence of a chain of ______.
amino acids
The secondary structure of proteins is formed by weak ______ bonds.
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The tertiary structure involves multiple secondary structures folding together and can include ______ groups.
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The quaternary structure is the highest level of complexity for proteins, exemplified by ______.
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Proteins are comprised of units known as ______.
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Proteins undergo ______ synthesis, where amino acids are assembled into polypeptide chains.
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Amino acids can bond with each other during ______ reactions.
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The linkages formed between amino acids are very strong covalent bonds called ______ bonds.
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The chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds are called ______.
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Protein synthesis occurs in the ______ of the cells.
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When polypeptide chains are broken, a water molecule is consumed during a ______ reaction.
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Only the amino acids with side chains ('R' groups) that contain ______ structures are hydrophobic.
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An example of an amino acid that is used in the synthesis of brain cell components is ______.
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Leucine is involved in increasing lean muscle ______.
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The building blocks of proteins are called ______.
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A chain of amino acids linked by ______ forms a polypeptide.
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The specific sequence of ______ in a polypeptide determines the protein's structure and function.
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Proteins are synthesized through a process known as ______.
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In the ______ structure of proteins, polypeptide chains fold into specific shapes.
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The ______ structure of proteins describes the linear sequence of amino acids.
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Amino acids contain an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a ______ group.
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The main function of amino acids in living organisms is to serve as ______ for protein synthesis.
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Study Notes
DNA Structure
- DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid
- DNA is composed of two chains of nucleotides, which form a double helix
- Each nucleotide is composed of a phosphate group, deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base
- The four DNA bases are adenine (A), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and guanine (G)
- The bases are connected by hydrogen bonds
RNA Structure
- RNA stands for ribonucleic acid
- RNA is similar to DNA but has a different sugar: ribose instead of deoxyribose
- RNA has only one strand, unlike DNA's double helix structure
- RNA uses Uracil (U) in place of Thymine (T)
Amino Acids
- There are 20 different amino acids
- Some amino acids are hydrophilic (attracted to water) while others are hydrophobic (repelled by water)
- Only those with side chains (R groups) containing ring structures are hydrophobic
Amino Acids in the Body
- Serine: Used in the synthesis of components in brain cell membranes and neurons
- Leucine: Involved in increasing lean muscle mass
- Valine: High levels are associated with insulin resistance and diabetes
- Tryptophan: Converts to serotonin, which affects mood and sleep
- Aspartic acid: Contributes to the formation of urea
Protein Structure
- Amino acids form polypeptide chains
- Polypeptide chains can be non-linear
- Primary structure: Sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, determined by genes
- Secondary structure: Occurs when amino acid sequences are linked by weak hydrogen bonds, resulting in α-helix or β-pleated sheet structures
- Tertiary structure: The folding of secondary structures, involving hydrogen, disulfide, ionic, and hydrophobic interactions; may have prosthetic groups attached, such as haem in haemoglobin, and forms the structures of enzymes
- Quaternary structure: The highest level of complexity for proteins; involves multiple polypeptide chains, such as in haemoglobin
How Polypeptides are formed
- Amino acids bond with each other during condensation reactions
- When amino acids join, they form peptide bonds, which are strong covalent bonds
- A water molecule is released during condensation
- Polypeptide chain: a chain of many amino acids linked by peptide bonds
How Polypeptides are Broken
- When a polypeptide chain is broken, hydrolysis occurs
- A water molecule is consumed during hydrolysis
- An example is when pepsin digests proteins in the stomach
Protein Synthesis
- Protein synthesis occurs in ribosomes of the cells
- Proteins are comprised of amino acid units that form polypeptide chains.
- These chains can come together to form proteins of increasing complexity.
Inhibition
- Competitive inhibition: An inhibitor binds to the active site of an enzyme, preventing the substrate from binding. Increasing substrate concentration can reverse the effects of competitive inhibition.
- Non-competitive inhibition: An inhibitor binds to an allosteric site, changing the active site's shape. Increasing substrate concentration is futile in reversing the effects of non-competitive inhibition.
- Non-competitive inhibition has a higher tendency to be irreversible because there is a higher chance of permanent distortion of the enzyme's shape.
Nucleic Acids
- DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid is mainly found in the nucleus of cells and its role is to produce a genetic code to express certain traits such as eye colour, blood type, and the presence or absence of disease.
- RNA: Ribonucleic acid is also mainly found in the nucleus of cells and works with DNA to create proteins.
- The primary difference between DNA and RNA is the sugar they contain: DNA uses deoxyribose, while RNA uses ribose.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the structures of DNA and RNA, including their components and differences. Additionally, explore the role of amino acids in the body and their various properties. This quiz is perfect for students studying molecular biology.
