5.4 Summary

Proteins!!
Proteins are polymers constructed from a set of 20 kinds of amino acids. They are very important for the functions of cells.

An amino acid monomer is made up of a central carbon atom bonded to 4 partners.
Partners all amino acids have:
1 hydrogen atom
1 carboxyl group
1 amino group
Unique partner:
The side group is differ in different amino acids, also called “R-group”

Polypeptide: a chain that is made from proteins created by cells that are linked together by amino acids.
-Links are created by dehydration
-There are 1 or more polypeptide chains in a protein

Protein shape
Proteins are made of one or more polypeptides twisted, folded and coiled into a unique shape.
Denaturation is the process in which proteins loses its normal shape due to a change of environment such as pH and temperature.


Concept Check 5.4
Give at least 2 examples of proteins you can “see” in the world around you. What are their functions?

Examples of proteins I can "see" include fur, which makes animals warmer during the winter, and muscles which makes humans stronger.
Relate amino acids, polypeptides and proteins.

Amino acids makes polypeptides, and polypeptides makes up proteins.
Explain how heat can destroy a protein.

If the temperature of a protein or the enviornment the protein is in suddenly changes, then the protein will be influenced and lose it's normal shape, and therefore it is destroyed.

Which parts of an amino acid’s structure are the same in all amino acids? Which part is unique?

Three of the central carbon's partners, the hydrogen atom, the carboxyl group partner and the amino group partner are the same in all amino acids, but each amino acid has a side group and that part is unique.