Polypeptide Structure and Flexibility

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Questions and Answers

What defines the primary structure of a protein?

  • The arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains.
  • The folding patterns of the polypeptide chain.
  • The unique sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. (correct)
  • The three-dimensional shape of the protein.

Which interactions play a significant role in forming tertiary structure?

  • Iron bonds and hydrogen bonds.
  • Hydrophobic interactions and covalent bonds.
  • Hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds. (correct)
  • Ionic bonds and peptide bonds.

How does secondary structure arise in proteins?

  • From the assembly of multiple polypeptides.
  • From the folding of the polypeptide chain into helices or sheets. (correct)
  • From the unique sequence of nucleotides in DNA.
  • From the interactions between amino acid side chains.

What characterizes quaternary structure in proteins?

<p>It involves the association of multiple polypeptide chains. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What can result from alterations in the primary structure of a protein?

<p>Loss of protein function. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of secondary structure is characterized by parallel or anti-parallel strands?

<p>β-pleated sheet (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of peptide bonds in protein synthesis?

<p>To polymerize amino acids into a polypeptide chain. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What may cause protein denaturation?

<p>Physical or chemical agents disrupting structure. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What common feature is shared by proteins that require tertiary structure and are composed of multiple subunits?

<p>They must have quaternary structure to be functional. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the flexibility of the polypeptide backbone affect protein structure?

<p>It allows for rotation around bonds connecting amino acids. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Primary Structure

Linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, determined by gene nucleotides.

Secondary Structure

Folding of polypeptide chains into structures like α-helices and β-pleated sheets, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.

Tertiary Structure

Three-dimensional arrangement of a polypeptide, determined by interactions between amino acid side chains.

Quaternary Structure

Arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains in a complex, which can be identical or different subunits.

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Polypeptide Flexibility

Flexibility of the polypeptide backbone due to rotation around bonds connecting amino acids.

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Polypeptide Synthesis

Process of synthesizing polypeptides by ribosomes using mRNA to dictate amino acid sequence.

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Protein Denaturation

Unfolding or loss of secondary/tertiary structure leading to loss of function.

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α-helix

A common secondary structure of proteins, characterized by a right-handed spiral formation.

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Hydrophobic Interactions

Forces that drive nonpolar amino acids inward, away from water, stabilizing tertiary structure.

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Disulfide Bridges

Covalent bonds formed between cysteine amino acids that stabilize protein structure.

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Study Notes

Polypeptide Structure

  • A polypeptide chain is a sequence of amino acids (aa) linked by peptide bonds (-CO-NH-).
  • The chain has an amino terminus (N-terminus) and a carboxyl terminus (C-terminus).
  • The sequence of aa is crucial, as even minor changes can alter the protein's 3D structure and function.
  • Peptide bonds link aa, but the groups around them (side-chains) can rotate, providing flexibility.

Polypeptide Flexibility

  • The polypeptide backbone is flexible due to the rotation of groups around the peptide bonds.
  • Torsion angles relate to the rotation around these bonds.
  • Three torsion angles are formed between the intersecting covalent bonds.
  • Chemical groups on the aa side-chains also influence flexibility.

Protein Structures

  • Proteins have four levels of structural organization.
  • Primary: The linear sequence of amino acids. It's determined by the DNA sequence, unique to each protein type.
  • Secondary: 3D shapes formed by folding of the primary structure.
    • Alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets are stabilized by hydrogen bonds between the backbone N-H and C=O groups.
    • Turns and random coils are also important secondary structural elements.
  • Tertiary: The overall 3D shape of the entire polypeptide chain.
    • This shape is stabilized by interactions between R-groups (side-chains).
    • Interactions include hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, ionic bonds, and disulfide bonds (important: covalent).
  • Quaternary: The arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains in a protein complex.
    • This structure, involving multiple subunits, is held together by weak bonds and affects protein function.

Protein Denaturation

  • Denaturation is the loss of a protein's 3D structure.
  • It is caused by physical factors (e.g., high temperature) or chemical agents (e.g., pH changes).
  • Denaturation can disrupt the secondary, tertiary, and sometimes quaternary structure.
  • The protein loses its function if its structure is changed.

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