Biochemistry : Fundamental Macromolecules and Concepts

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Amino Acids And Proteins

Which of the following contributes most to a protein's secondary and tertiary structure, respectively?

Possible Answers:

Peptide bonding, hydrogen bonding

Hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions

Hydrogen bonding, disulfide bonding

Disulfide bonding, hydrophobic interactions

Covalent bonding, hydrogen bonding

Correct answer:

Hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions

Explanation:

Hydrogen bonding stabilizes secondary structure to form alpha helices and beta sheets. Hydrophobic interactions between nonpolar side groups dictate a protein's tertiary structure. Disulfide bonds are involved in the determination of a protein's tertiary and quaternary structures, but they are not the primary contributors.

Example Question #11 : Amino Acids And Proteins

If a certain amino acid is degraded to give pyruvate, what is the correct classification of this amino acid?

Possible Answers:

Glucogenic amino acid

Nonessential amino acid

Ketogenic amino acid

None of these

Essential amino acid

Correct answer:

Glucogenic amino acid

Explanation:

The degradation of the various amino acids can produce several different compounds. But although these compounds differ, they can undergo further processing into one of two routes. Either the intermediates can be routed to become ketone bodies, or they can be routed into the gluconeogenesis pathway to become glucose. Generally speaking, amino acids that degrade to become either acetyl-CoA or acetoacetyl-CoA can potentially form ketone bodies. Thus, these amino acids are called ketogenic amino acids. Alternatively, amino acids that degrade to become pyruvate, oxaloacetate, alpha-ketoglutarate, fumarate, or succinyl-CoA can potentially form glucose. Therefore, these amino acids are called glucogenic amino acids. It's also important to note that there is some overlap between these. For instance, some amino acids are versatile because they have the potential to be both ketogenic or glucogenic. Some amino acids, however, only have the ability to do one of the two. In this case, since we are told that the amino acid in question is being converted into pyruvate, we can conclude that this amino acid is glucogenic.

Example Question #11 : Amino Acids And Proteins

All amino acids are optically active (contain a chiral alpha carbon) except __________.

Possible Answers:

glutamine

glycine

tryptophan

alanine

thyroxine

Correct answer:

glycine

Explanation:

Glycine contains a  as its R-group. The alpha carbon atom is bound to two hydrogen atoms. Therefore, glycine does not have a chiral center and is not optically active. 

Example Question #12 : Amino Acids And Proteins

Relevant pKa's:

D: amine pKa=9.60, R-group pKa=3.65, carboxyl pKa=1.88

G: amine pKa=9.13, carboxyl pKa=2.34

K: amine pKa=8.95, R-group pKa=10.53  K carboxyl pKa=2.18

A: amine pKa=9.69, carboxyl pKa=2.34

What is the charge on the peptide DGKA at pH 11?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The pKa is the pH at which half of the protons for a given site have dissociated. So when the pH is above the pKa the majority of protons will have dissociated, and when the pH is below the pKa the majority of protons will remain. There are four important protonation sites to look at in the peptide DGKA. The first site being the anime group of the N-terminus aspartate. Since the pH is greater than the pKa, this site will be deprotonated resulting in a neutral charge. The second site is the R-group of the aspartate residue. The pH is greater than the pKa resulting in deprotonation and a negative charge. The third site is the R-group of the lysine residue. The pH is greater than the pKa resulting in deprotonation and a neutral charge. The final site is the carboxyl group of the C-terminus of alanine. The pH is greater than the pKa resulting in deprotonation and a negative charge. Summing all of the charges at these locations:

The overall charge at pH 11 is -2.

Example Question #12 : Amino Acids And Proteins

Relevant pKa's:

D: amine pKa=9.60, R-group pKa=3.65, carboxyl pKa=1.88

G: amine pKa=9.13, carboxyl pKa=2.34

K: amine pKa=8.95, R-group pKa=10.53  K carboxyl pKa=2.18

A: amine pKa=9.69, carboxyl pKa=2.34

At what pH will there likely be a  overall charge on the peptide DGKA?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The pKa is the pH at which half of the protons for a given site have dissociated. So when the pH is above the pKa the majority of protons will have dissociated, and when the pH is below the pKa the majority of protons will remain. There are four important protonation sites to look at in the peptide DGKA. The first site is the amine group of the N-terminus aspartate, which has a pKa of 9.6. The second site is the aspartate R-group which has a pKa of 3.65. The third site is the lysine R-group which has a pKa of 10.53. The final site is the carboxyl group of the C-terminus alanine, which has a pKa of 2.34. At a pH lower than all of these pKa's, all of the sites would be deprotonated resulting in an overall  charge. To achieve a charge of , it is necessary for the pH to be above just one of the pKa's. And for this reason the correct answer is 2.34 < 3.65.

Example Question #12 : Amino Acids And Proteins

What is the one letter amino acid code for tyrosine?

Possible Answers:

Y

T

S

N

R

Correct answer:

Y

Explanation:

The one letter abbreviation for the amino acid tyrosine is Y. T codes for threonine, S codes for serine, R codes for arginine, and N codes for asparagine.

Example Question #11 : Amino Acids And Proteins

The linear sequence of amino acids within a protein is an example of __________ protein structure.

Possible Answers:

tertiary

auxiliary

primary

secondary

quaternary

Correct answer:

primary

Explanation:

The linear sequence of amino acids within a protein makes up the primary structure. Protein secondary structure is defined by the localized three-dimensional structure of amino acids. These localized structures are normally constructed through hydrogen bonding networks. Alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets are examples of secondary structures. Protein tertiary structure is defined by the longer range interactions between amino acids within a single polypeptide chain. These interactions include ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions. Protein quaternary structure is defined by the interactions between separate polypeptide chains. This often occurs in the formation of dimers and higher multimers.

Example Question #11 : Amino Acids And Proteins

Interactions such as ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, and hydrophobic interactions within a single polypeptide chain are examples of protein __________ structure.

Possible Answers:

auxiliary

quaternary

primary

tertiary

secondary

Correct answer:

tertiary

Explanation:

Ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions are all examples of protein tertiary structure when they occur within a single polypeptide chain. If these interactions were to occur between separate polypeptide chains then they would be defining the quaternary structure of the protein. The linear sequence of amino acids within a protein makes up the primary structure. Protein secondary structure is defined by the localized three-dimensional structure of amino acids. These localized structures are normally constructed through hydrogen bonding networks. Alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets are examples of secondary structures. 

Example Question #12 : Amino Acids And Proteins

Which of the following elements is not found in any of the standard twenty amino acids?

Possible Answers:

Nitrogen

Sulfur

Carbon

Oxygen

Phosphorous 

Correct answer:

Phosphorous 

Explanation:

Phosphorous is not a part of any of the standard twenty amino acids. It is however a component of other biological macromolecules such as nucleotides and metabolic intermediates. All twenty amino acids have the elements carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen found within them, and the amino acids cysteine and methionine contain sulfur.

Example Question #15 : Amino Acids And Proteins

A hydrophobic amino acid such as isoleucine is most likely to be found in which of these locations?

I. On the surface of a cytosolic protein

II. Near the core of a cytosolic protein

III. Within a transmembrane segment of a protein

IV. On the cytosolic surface of a membrane protein

Possible Answers:

I and II

II only

I and III

II and III

I, II, III, and IV

Correct answer:

II and III

Explanation:

Hydrophobic or water-fearing amino acids tend to be found in the interior of a cytosolic protein. This prevents energetically unfavorable solvation by water. Additionally, within a transmembrane segment of a protein hydrophobic amino acids can fit in alongside the hydrophobic tails of membrane phospholipids keeping them from being solvated by water.

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