How are amino acids categorized?
By chemical properties
How many common amino acids are there?
20
What is a primary structure?
A Polypeptide: Chain-like sequence of amino acids bound with peptide bonds
What forms the peptide bond? What is released as a byproduct?
Peptide (covalent) bond forms between C of one amino acid and N of another. H2O is released as a biproduct
What elements is the Amino Group composed of?
NH2
(H3N+ on left side)
What elements is the Carboxyl Group composed of?
COOH
(COO- on right side)
Why is the Methionine R Group important?
AUG is start codon that codes for Methionine Amino Acid!
What are the Nonpolar, Aliphatic R Groups? What distinguishes them?
ALIPHATIC: lots of single bonds with Carbon and Hydrogen -> HYDROPHOBIC
What are the Highly Polar, Negatively Charged R Groups? What distinguishes them?
HYDROPHILIC
What are the Highly Polar, Positively Charged R Groups? What distinguishes them?
HYDROPHILIC
What are the Polar, Uncharged R Groups? What distinguishes them?
HYDROPHILIC
What are the Nonpolar, Aromatic R Groups? What distinguishes them?
AROMATIC: Rings with alternating Carbon double bonds -> HYDROPHOBIC
How are amino acids connected?
In a polypeptide chain
What does the linear sequence of a polypeptide chain have?
How do you read an amino acid sequence? Which is designated as the “starting point” of a protein sequence?
From N-terminus (left)
To C-terminus (right)
In which directions are DNA transcribed, RNA translated and Amino Acid Chains created?
5’->3’ (only add to 3’ end)
N->C (only add to C terminus)
FIVE TO THREE,
“N” TO “C”
How can evolutionary relationships be determined?
By comparing primary sequences
What are secondary structures?
Regularly repeating elements within a protein in which H-bonds form between polar atoms in the backbone chain
What allows secondary structures to fold?
Reverse Turns
What are Reverse Turns?
Loops where secondary structural elements reverse themselves
What is a Dimer?
A protein consisting of two polypeptide subunits
(quaternary structure composed of two tertiary structures)
What is a Polymer?
A huge molecule made by the bonding of a series of macromolecules, which are composed of many repeating subunits
(a protein (quaternary structure) composed of more than two tertiary structures)
What are Domains?
Independent folding units within a protein
What are the building blocks of Domains?
Supersecondary Structural Elements