Biochemistry : Identification by Structure

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Identification By Structure

Disulfide bonds are most important in which level of protein structure?

Possible Answers:

Primary structure

Secondary structure

Tertiary structure

Two of these

Quaternary structure

Correct answer:

Two of these

Explanation:

Disulfide bonds are involved in the tertiary and quaternary structure of proteins, not the other structural levels. Primary structure consists of the amino acid sequence. Secondary structure consists of alpha helices and beta pleated sheets. Tertiary structure consists of bonds between hydrogen bonds between R-groups, nonpolar interactions, electrostatic interactions, and covalent bonds including disulfide bonds. Quaternary structure involves the arrangement of more than one polypeptide into a protein complex, and involves the same bonds as those in tertiary structure.

Example Question #62 : Identification By Structure

Which of the following sets of amino acids is most likely to be found on the interior portion of a transmembrane protein?

Possible Answers:

Glutamate, tryptophan, and histidine

Glycine, lysine, and histidine

Aspartate, isoleucine, and serine

Valine, leucine, and alanine

Tyrosine, asparagine, and glycine

Correct answer:

Valine, leucine, and alanine

Explanation:

The interior portion of a transmembrane protein is most likely to be populated with smaller, hydrophobic amino acids.  This is because the interior of the transmembrane protein is in the hydrophobic environment of the lipid bilayer.  Thus, alanine, valine, and leucine - small, hydrophobic amino acids - are most likely to be found there.

Example Question #63 : Identification By Structure

The secondary structure of protein formation is governed by what type of bonds?

Possible Answers:

Covalent bonds

Peptide bonds

Ionic bonds

Hydrogen bonds

van der Waals forces

Correct answer:

Hydrogen bonds

Explanation:

The secondary structure of a protein can be either an alpha helix or a beta pleated sheet.  In either case, the structure forms due to intra-chain hydrogen bonding of the protein's backbone amino and carboxyl groups.

Example Question #329 : Biochemistry

Glycation, otherwise known as non-enzymatic glycosylation, is a process that creates glycoproteins. How is this accomplished?

Possible Answers:

The synthesis of alternating carbohydrate and amino acid monomers, forming a "hydrid" compound that is somewhere between a polysaccharide and a polypeptide

Secretion of sugars into an extracellular matrix composed predominately of polypeptides and proteins

Attachment of amino acid monomers to carbohydrates

Via kinases, predominantly in the liver

Attachment of sugar monomers to polypeptides

Correct answer:

Attachment of sugar monomers to polypeptides

Explanation:

For this question, we're being asked the basics of how sugars can combine with proteins to create glycoproteins.

For starters, it's important to distinguish between glycoproteins and proteoglycans. Both of these are compounds that consist of carbohydrate and protein. The difference, however, is in the relative amounts of each. Glycoproteins are predominately protein, whereas proteoglycans are predominately carbohydrate.

Another important distinction is the difference between glycation and glycosylation. Both of these processes involve the addition of a sugar to a protein or polypeptide. In glycation, however, the process occurs on its own without the help of any enzymes. Glycosylation, on the other hand, is assisted by enzymes.

Generally speaking, reducing sugars that are capable of equilibrating between a closed chain form and an open chain form are able to add to polypeptides via glycation.

In fact, clinicians take advantage of this fact for more accurately diagnosing individuals with diabetes. This is because glucose in the bloodstream is able to naturally attach to proteins found within the blood, such as hemoglobin, via glycation. When glucose levels have been elevated for an extended period of time, as is the case in someone with diabetes, there will also tend to be elevated levels of glycated hemoglobin, otherwise known as hemoglobin A1C.

Example Question #64 : Identification By Structure

Which of the following is not present on all amino acids?

Possible Answers:

Hydrogen 

R-group

Amino group

Carboxyl group

All of these are present on every amino acid

Correct answer:

All of these are present on every amino acid

Explanation:

All 20 of the amino acids have on its central carbon a hydrogen, a carboxyl group, an amino group, and a distinctive R-group. These R-groups determine the properties of the amino acid and thus the polypeptide of which they are a part.

Example Question #65 : Identification By Structure

Primary protein structure is primarily held together by what type of bond?

Possible Answers:

Ionic bond

Hydrogen bond

Phosphodiester bond

Peptide bond

Van der waals interactions

Correct answer:

Peptide bond

Explanation:

Primary protein structures are composed of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds.  Secondary protein structures are held together by hydrogen bonds.  Phosphodiester bonds can be found between sugar and phosphate groups in the backbone of DNA.

Example Question #333 : Biochemistry

Why is the tertiary structure of a protein always conserved, even more so than the primary structure?

Possible Answers:

The primary structure is more conserved than the tertiary structure

The primary and tertiary structure of a protein are equally conserved

Tertiary structure is more closely associated with the sequence of the protein

The bonds holding the tertiary structure are stronger than those of the primary structure

Tertiary structure is more closely associated with the protein's function

Correct answer:

Tertiary structure is more closely associated with the protein's function

Explanation:

The primary structure of a protein deals with its sequence while the tertiary structure deals with the folding of the protein. The folding of the protein is what determines its function, and because this is important in maintaining the life of organisms, the tertiary structure must be heavily conserved.

Example Question #66 : Identification By Structure

Which of these are negatively charged amino acids at pH 7?

I. Aspartic acid

II. Glutamic acid

III. Lysine 

IV. Arginine

Possible Answers:

IV only

I, II, and III

I and II

III and IV

I, III, and IV

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

Amino acids are classified based on their charged (polar groups) at neutral pH (pH=7).Lysine (Lys, K), arginine (Arg, R) and histidine (His, H) are positively charged at neutral ph (pH=7), while aspartate and glutamate are negatively charged.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Identify the nucleobase. 

Guanine

Possible Answers:

Thymine

Cytosine

Uracil

Guanine

Adenine

Correct answer:

Guanine

Explanation:

The structure represents guanine because of the characteristic carbonyl group at carbon 6 and amine group and carbon 2.

Example Question #1 : Identifying Specific Nucleic Acid Structures

Identify the nucleobase. 

Adenine

Possible Answers:

Guanine

Cytosine

Adenine

Uracil

Thymine

Correct answer:

Adenine

Explanation:

The structure is adenine because of the characteristic amine group on carbon 6 and lack of any other substituents.

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