Textbook Question
What type of interaction would you expect between the side chains of each of the following pairs of amino acids in the tertiary structure of a protein?
b. leucine and isoleucine
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 26b
What type of interaction would you expect between the side chains of each of the following pairs of amino acids in the tertiary structure of a protein?
b. alanine and valine
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the side chains of alanine and valine. Alanine has a methyl group (-CH3) as its side chain, while valine has an isopropyl group (-CH(CH3)2) as its side chain.
Recognize that both alanine and valine have nonpolar, hydrophobic side chains.
Understand that in the tertiary structure of a protein, nonpolar side chains tend to interact with each other through hydrophobic interactions.
Explain that these hydrophobic interactions help stabilize the protein structure by minimizing the exposure of nonpolar side chains to the aqueous environment.
Conclude that the interaction between the side chains of alanine and valine in the tertiary structure of a protein is primarily hydrophobic.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Amino Acid Side Chains
Amino acids have unique side chains (R groups) that determine their chemical properties and interactions. The side chains can be polar, nonpolar, acidic, or basic, influencing how they interact with each other in a protein's tertiary structure. Understanding these properties is crucial for predicting interactions between specific amino acids.
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Intro to Amino Acids Concept 1
Hydrophobic Interactions
Hydrophobic interactions occur when nonpolar side chains, such as those of alanine and valine, cluster together to avoid contact with water. This phenomenon is a key driving force in protein folding, as it helps stabilize the protein's three-dimensional structure by minimizing the exposure of hydrophobic regions to the aqueous environment.
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2:41Interactions within the Tertiary Structure Concept 2
Tertiary Structure of Proteins
The tertiary structure of a protein refers to its overall three-dimensional shape, formed by the folding and interactions of its amino acid side chains. This structure is critical for the protein's function, as it determines how the protein interacts with other molecules. The specific interactions between side chains, such as those between alanine and valine, play a significant role in stabilizing this structure.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Name the stabilizing attractive force found in secondary structures of proteins.
Textbook Question
What type of interaction would you expect between the side chains of each of the following pairs of amino acids in the tertiary structure of a protein?
d. glutamine and arginine
Textbook Question
Describe the differences in the shape of an α helix and a β-pleated sheet.
Textbook Question
What type of interaction would you expect between the side chains of each of the following pairs of amino acids in the tertiary structure of a protein?
a. lysine and glutamate
Textbook Question
When a protein folds into its tertiary structure, does the primary structure change? Explain.