10 Questions
What determines the primary structure of a protein, and how does it influence the subsequent structures?
The primary structure of a protein is determined by the inherited genetic information, and it determines the secondary and tertiary structures of a protein.
What type of bonding is responsible for stabilizing the secondary structure regions of a protein?
Hydrogen bonds between atoms of the polypeptide backbone
What is the characteristic feature of an α-helix, and how does it differ from a β-pleated sheet?
An α-helix is a delicate coil held together by hydrogen bonding between every 4th amino acid, whereas a β-pleated sheet is a structure in which two or more strands of polypeptide chains lay side by side connected by hydrogen bonding.
What is the functional significance of the β-pleated sheets in the spider silk protein, and how does it relate to the spider's web?
The β-pleated sheets in the spider silk protein allow the spider web to stretch and recoil.
What is the significance of the tertiary structure of a protein, and how does it arise?
The tertiary structure is the overall shape of a polypeptide resulting from interactions between the side chains of various amino acids.
What is the primary force responsible for holding together the delicate coil of an α-helix, and how often does it occur between amino acids?
Hydrogen bonding between every 4th amino acid
Compare and contrast the structural arrangement of polypeptide chains in an α-helix versus a β-pleated sheet.
α-helix is a coil, β-pleated sheet is side by side strands
What type of interactions are responsible for positioning hydrophobic amino acids in the core of a protein, and what is the resulting effect on the tertiary structure?
Hydrophobic interactions, resulting in a more compact core
How do disulfide bridges contribute to the stabilization of a protein's tertiary structure, and what amino acids are involved in this process?
Disulfide bridges form between two cysteine amino acids, stabilizing the 3D structure
What is the role of hydrogen bonds in stabilizing both secondary and tertiary structures of a protein, and how do they differ in their interactions?
Hydrogen bonds stabilize secondary structure by bonding between backbone atoms, and tertiary structure by bonding between side chains
Learn about the four levels of protein structure, including the primary structure, which is a linked series of amino acids with a unique sequence determined by genetic information. Understand how the primary structure affects the secondary and tertiary structures of a protein.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
