Bioquímica de Proteínas

Bioquímica de Proteínas

• Proteins are polymers of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
• The 20 standard amino acids differ in their side chains (R groups), which dictate the protein's properties.
• Primary structure: The linear sequence of amino acids.
• Secondary structure: Local folding patterns (e.g., α-helices, β-sheets) stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
• Tertiary structure: The overall 3D shape of the protein, stabilized by various interactions (e.g., hydrophobic interactions, disulfide bonds).
• Quaternary structure: Arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains in a protein complex.
• Protein function is directly related to its specific 3D structure.
• Protein folding is a spontaneous process driven by the hydrophobic effect and other energetic forces, often aided by chaperone proteins.
• Denaturation is the loss of a protein's structure and function due to factors such as heat or changes in pH.
• Enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions by lowering activation energy.
• Protein function can be regulated by allosteric modulators or post-translational modifications.
• Enzymes display specificity, active sites, and catalytic mechanisms.
• Protein-protein interactions are critical for many cellular processes.

Bioquímica de Ácidos Nucleicos

• Nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) are polymers of nucleotides.
• Nucleotides consist of a nitrogenous base (purine or pyrimidine), a pentose sugar (deoxyribose or ribose), and a phosphate group.
• DNA is a double-stranded helix with complementary base pairing (A-T, G-C).
• RNA is typically single-stranded and has diverse roles in gene expression.
• DNA's primary function is storage and transmission of genetic information.
• RNA has crucial roles in protein synthesis (mRNA, tRNA, rRNA).
• DNA replication is a semiconservative process ensuring accurate duplication of genetic material.
• Transcription is the process of copying DNA information into RNA.
• Translation is the decoding of mRNA to synthesize proteins.
• DNA and RNA have specific structures suited to their diverse functions.
• Mutations in nucleic acids can alter the genetic code and cause disease.
• The genetic code is universal, which means most organisms use the same code to translate mRNA into amino acids.

Bioquímica Estructural

• Biomolecules have specific three-dimensional structures crucial for their function.
• This structure is determined and governed by the arrangement of atoms.
• The study of their structure-function relationships.
• Examination of the spatial arrangements of atoms within a molecule.
• Molecular interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces) contribute to the stability of biomolecules.
• The principles of structural chemistry (isomerism, chirality) are critical in understanding biomolecules.
• Techniques like X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and cryo-electron microscopy provide detailed structural information.
• Understanding structural biology helps predict biological activity.
• This knowledge is foundational in drug design and development to target specific molecules.
• Structural analysis helps explain the mechanisms of enzymatic catalysis and other biochemical processes.
• Protein folding is a well-studied aspect of structural biochemistry, and it demonstrates how specific sequences can determine precise shapes in biological systems.

Este cuestionario explora la estructura y función de las proteínas, incluyendo sus niveles de organización: primaria, secundaria, terciaria y cuaternaria. Aprenderás sobre el proceso de plegamiento de proteínas y cómo factores externos pueden causar desnaturalización. Además, se abordará el papel fundamental de las enzimas en las reacciones bioquímicas.