2.

Molecular biology
2.4 Proteins
Source: http://gym.westernsydney.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/High-protein-foods.jpg
Proteins have a variety of functions
Three basic facts about proteins
 PROTEINS
• Name three general characteristics of proteins

Proteins are composed of amino acids (Aminosäuren).

Proteins are large molecules.
 Haemoglobin PROTEINS Myosin
• How are shape and function related in proteins?

 transport of oxygen  contraction in muscles

 4 O2 binding sites  elongated form

The shape determines the function of the protein.

General structure of proteins
• are made from amino acids (AA, Aminosäuren)

• are polymers
 … a large molecule (macromolecule) made of repeating
subunits
→ many amino acids linked together
 More about amino acids ...

• Read carefully through „The diversity of amino acids“ on p. 88 & 89

• Answer the following questions:

➔List the main components of an amino acid.
➔How many amino acids are used in humans (mammals)?
➔Between parts of amino acids does the peptide bond form?
➔Which part of the amino acid gives it its chemical characteristics?
Basic structure of an amino acids Same in every amino acid!

Different in every amino acid!

• R … „Rest“

• R-group gives each amino acid its chemical properties.

Different R-groups → different chemical properties (p. 89)
From amino acid to protein ...
 From amino acid to protein ...

●
Read text p. 87 & 88, „ Amino acids and polypetides“
➔
Mark any words / phrases you don‘t understand
➔
Think about what information you need to understand them.

• polypeptide = single chain of amino acids

• protein = may consist of several polypeptides
Example: Insulin
• 2 polypetide chains: A chain & B chain

A chain
Gly – Ile – Val – Glu – Gln – Cys – Cys – Thr – Ser – Ile – …

B chain
Phe – Val – Asn – Gln – His – Leu - Cys – …
Formation of polypetides
• made on ribosomes (= small cell organelles found in cytoplasm)
Peptide bond
• bond that forms between 2 amino acids
• between amino-group and carboxyl- group
• condensation reation → water is released

REMEMBER
You need to be able to draw the condensation reaction
between two amnio acids.
Homework: read & understand
●
Polypeptide diversity (p. 90)
●
Genes and polypetides (p. 90)
●
Proteins and polypetides (p. 91)
●
Protein conformations (p. 91)
●
Protein functions (p. 93)

There will be a short quiz at the beginning of next lesson!