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They
are all composed of structural
monomers called amino acids.
Their
differences from organism to
organism is due to differences in the DNA
which contains the instructions for their
formation. Ex. Eye color, Blood type
Proteins: Structure
Primary structure = chain of amino acids
Amino acids have common features
Carboxylic Acid
Amino
Group
Group
R
“Alpha”
Carbon The “R” Group
Differs for Each Amino Acid
Amino Acids: Phenylalanine Structure
Carboxylic Acid
Amino
Group
Group
“Alpha”
Carbon
Phenylalanine
“R” Group
Amino Acids: Leucine Structure
Carboxylic Acid
Amino
Group
Group
Leucine “R”
Group
Amino Acid Variety
Proteins
Atoms: C, H, O, N, S
Basic units: amino acids (20)
Provide energy & structure, repairs body
tissues
Some are called hormones, enzymes,
neurotransmitters, etc.
Foods high in protein: meat, eggs, poultry,
milk & milk products, nuts, dried beans,
peas, & lentils
Protein Functions
Structure: Building structural components of organisms
(collagen, elastin, keratin, microtubules, microfilaments)
Regulation of metabolic processes: Hormones (insulin)
Carrying out of metabolic processes: Enzymes
Membrane component: Carrier proteins, Protein pumps,
Transport of materials through membrane phospholipid
layers
Membrane receptors: Hormone receptors and
neurotransmitter receptors.
Levels of Protein Structure
Proteins are very complex molecules and their
shape or structure determines their function.
Most proteins have 4 levels of structure. They
are:
a. Primary Level
b. Secondary Level
c. Tertiary Level
d. Quaternary Level
If any level of structure is changed it can create
faulty or nonfunctioning proteins!
Levels of Protein Structure
The Primary Level is
determined by the
number of amino
acids, the type of
amino acids, and
the sequence of the
amino acids in the
polypeptide chain.
Proteins