Ch.10 Proteins Workers of the Cell

Frost - General, Organic and Biological Chemistry 4th Edition

Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook

Frost 4th Edition

Ch.10 Proteins Workers of the Cell

Problem 86

Chapter 6, Problem 86

Do the amino acids that are in the active site of an enzyme have to be near each other in the enzyme’s primary structure? If no, explain.

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Understand the primary structure of a protein: The primary structure refers to the linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, connected by peptide bonds.

Learn about the active site of an enzyme: The active site is the region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction. It is formed by specific amino acids that interact with the substrate.

Recognize the role of protein folding: Proteins fold into complex three-dimensional structures (secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures) that bring amino acids from different parts of the primary structure into close proximity.

Understand that amino acids in the active site do not need to be adjacent in the primary structure: Through folding, amino acids that are far apart in the linear sequence can be brought together spatially to form the active site.

Conclude that the spatial arrangement of amino acids in the active site is determined by the enzyme's three-dimensional structure, not their position in the primary structure.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Enzyme Structure

Enzymes are proteins that consist of long chains of amino acids folded into specific three-dimensional shapes. The primary structure refers to the linear sequence of amino acids, while the secondary and tertiary structures involve the folding and interactions that create the enzyme's active site. Understanding how these structures relate is crucial for grasping enzyme functionality.

Active Site

The active site of an enzyme is the region where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction. It is typically formed by a specific arrangement of amino acids that may not be adjacent in the primary structure but come together in the folded enzyme. This spatial arrangement is essential for the enzyme's catalytic activity.

Protein Folding

Protein folding is the process by which a linear chain of amino acids acquires its functional three-dimensional shape. This process is driven by various interactions, including hydrogen bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and ionic bonds. The final folded structure determines the enzyme's active site configuration, allowing amino acids that are distant in the primary sequence to be positioned close together in the active site.

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Guided course

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Tertiary Protein Structure Example 1

Related Practice

Textbook Question

The enzyme sucrase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the disaccharide sucrose but not the disaccharide lactose. Does the induced-fit or lock-and-key model explain the action of sucrase better? Explain.

Textbook Question

What type of interactions between an enzyme and its substrate help to stabilize ES?

Textbook Question

The enzyme trypsin catalyzes the breakdown of many structurally diverse proteins in foods. Does the induced-fit or lock-and-key model explain the action of trypsin better? Explain.

Textbook Question

Match the terms (2) enzyme with the following descriptions:

a. has a tertiary structure that recognizes the substrate

b. is the combination of an enzyme with the substrate

c. has a structure that fits the active site of an enzyme

Textbook Question

Match the terms (3) substrate with the following descriptions:

a. has a tertiary structure that recognizes the substrate

b. is the combination of an enzyme with the substrate

c. has a structure that fits the active site of an enzyme

Textbook Question

Match the terms (1) active site, (2) lock-and-key model, and (3) induced-fit model with the following descriptions:

a. the portion of an enzyme where catalytic activity occurs

b. the active site adapts to the shape of a substrate

c. the active site has a rigid shape