Textbook Question
Identify the level of protein structure associated with each of the following:
b. hydrogen bonding between backbone atoms
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Ch.10 Proteins Workers of the Cell
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696
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Table of contents
- Ch.4 Introduction to Organic Compounds75
- Ch.5 Chemical Reactions19
- Ch.6 Carbohydrates Life's Sweet Molecules62
- Ch.7 States of Matter and Their Attractive Forces8
- Ch.8 Solution Chemistry Sugar and Water Do Mix4
- Ch.10 Proteins Workers of the Cell89
- Ch.11 Nucleic Acids Big Molecules with a Big Role69
- Ch.12 Food as Fuel An Overview of Metabolism65
Frost4th EditionGeneral, Organic and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9780134988696Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 6, Problem 68
Name the covalent bond that helps to stabilize the tertiary structure of a protein.
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Understand that the tertiary structure of a protein refers to the three-dimensional folding of the protein chain, which is stabilized by various interactions and bonds.
Recall that covalent bonds are strong chemical bonds formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Identify the specific covalent bond that stabilizes the tertiary structure of proteins: the disulfide bond (also called a disulfide bridge).
Explain that disulfide bonds form between the sulfur atoms of two cysteine amino acid residues in the protein, creating a covalent linkage (S-S bond).
Conclude that disulfide bonds are crucial for maintaining the stability and proper folding of the protein's tertiary structure, especially in extracellular proteins.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Covalent Bonds
Covalent bonds are strong chemical bonds formed when two atoms share electrons. In proteins, these bonds are crucial for maintaining structural integrity. The most relevant covalent bond in the context of protein structure is the disulfide bond, which forms between the sulfur atoms of cysteine residues, providing stability to the protein's tertiary structure.
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Covalent Bonds Example 1
Tertiary Structure of Proteins
The tertiary structure of a protein refers to its three-dimensional shape, which is essential for its function. This structure is formed by the folding and interactions of the protein's secondary structures (like alpha helices and beta sheets) and is stabilized by various interactions, including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and covalent bonds such as disulfide bridges.
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2:07Tertiary Protein Structure Concept 1
Disulfide Bonds
Disulfide bonds are a specific type of covalent bond that occurs between the thiol groups of cysteine residues in proteins. These bonds play a critical role in stabilizing the tertiary structure by linking different parts of the protein chain, thus helping to maintain its functional conformation under varying environmental conditions.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Consider the amino acids glycine, proline, and lysine.
b. Using three-letter abbreviations for the amino acids, give the sequence for each of the possible tripeptides.
Textbook Question
Identify some differences between the following pairs:
b. complete and incomplete proteins
Textbook Question
Identify the level of protein structure associated with each of the following:
d. intermolecular forces between R groups
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Textbook Question
Would you expect to find this segment at the center or on the surface of a globular protein? Why?
Textbook Question
Draw the structure of the possible dipeptides formed from one alanine combining with one cysteine.