90 likes | 215 Views
Chapter 3. Protein Structure and Function. Key Concepts. Most cell functions depend on proteins. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Amino acids vary in structure and function because their side chains vary in composition. Key Concepts, cont’d.
E N D
Chapter 3 Protein Structure and Function
Key Concepts • Most cell functions depend on proteins. • Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Amino acids vary in structure and function because their side chains vary in composition
Key Concepts, cont’d • Proteins vary widely in structure. The structure of a protein can be analyzed at four levels that form a hierarchy - the amino acid sequence, substructures called alpha helices and beta pleated sheets, interactions between amino acids that dictate a protein’s overall shape, and combinations of individual proteins that make up larger, multi-unit molecules.
Key Concepts, cont’d • In cells, most proteins are enzymes that function as catalysts. Chemical reactions occur much faster when they are catalyzed by enzymes. During enzyme catalysis, the reactants bind to an enzyme’s active site in a way that allows the reaction to proceed efficiently.
Protein Function • Catalysis - enzymes that speed up chemical reactions • Defense - antibodies and complement proteins attack pathogens • Movement - motor and contractile proteins move the cell or molecules within the cell • Signaling - proteins that convey signals between cells • Structure - structural proteins define cell shape and comprise body structures • Transport - carry materials; membrane proteins control molecular movement in and out of the cell.
The Amino Acid • Monomer (basic unit), Polymer (chain) • Amino acid (aka peptide) is the basic unit of a protein (aka polypeptide) chain • Amino acids have R-groups that differ in their size, shape, reactivity, and interactions with water. • Nonpolar R-groups: hydrophobic; don not form hydrogen bonds • Polar R-groups: hydrophilic; form hydrogen bonds • Charged R-groups:
Protein Structure Four-Level Hierarchy Resulting from Hydrogen Bonding: • Primary Structure - chain of amino acids • Secondary Structure - amino acids organized in alpha helices or beta sheets • Tertiary Structure - interactions between alpha helices and/or beta sheets • Quaternary Structure - two or more tertiary structures
Enzymes • Catalysts speed up the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy • Activation energy - the energy it takes for the reaction to progress • The reactants is the substrate and the site on the enzyme that binds to the substrate is called the active site • substrate (reactant) + enzyme -> product + enzyme
Enzymes Activity • Effect of conditions on enzymes • pH - work on an optimal pH • temperature - work on an optimal temperature • Enzyme regulation • Cofactors - metals or coenzymes that help the enzyme function • Competitive inhibition - a molecule that binds to the active site that competes for binding • Allosteric inhibition - site other than the active site that inhibits or promotes enzyme activity