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Amino Acids, Peptides and Proteins

Protein structure and the role of proteins

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Primary structure of a protein, two regular arrangements found as the secondary structure of proteins and tertiary structure of a protein.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Name four kinds of interaction that hold a tertiary structure together.

Key term

Define the primary structure of a protein.

Key term

Which type of bond holds the primary structure of a protein together?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define the primary structure of a protein.

    Model answer

    The primary structure is the order in which the amino acid residues are joined along the polypeptide chain.

  2. 2

    Which type of bond holds the primary structure of a protein together?

    Model answer

    Strong covalent bonds in the peptide links hold it together.

  3. 3

    Name the two regular arrangements found as the secondary structure of proteins.

    Model answer

    They are the α-helix and the β-pleated sheet.

  4. 4

    Which interaction holds a secondary structure in place, and between which atoms does it act?

    Model answer

    Hydrogen bonding holds it in place, acting between the hydrogen of an N—H group in one peptide link and the oxygen of the C=O group in another.

  5. 5

    Define the tertiary structure of a protein.

    Model answer

    The tertiary structure is the overall three-dimensional shape into which the whole polypeptide chain, including its regions of secondary structure, is folded.

  6. 6

    Name four kinds of interaction that hold a tertiary structure together.

    Model answer

    Hydrogen bonds between side chains, ionic attractions between charged side chains, disulfide bridges and hydrophobic interactions between non-polar side chains all hold it together.

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