Biochemistry : Protein Structure and Functions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #2 : Secondary Structure

Which of the following best describes a characteristic of a protein motif?

Possible Answers:

A commonly occurring arrangement made up of multiple secondary structures

A unique arrangement made up of secondary structures found only in a single protein

A family of proteins with similar functions

A commonly occurring arrangement made up of tertiary structures

A unique arrangement made up of tertiary structures found only in a single protein

Correct answer:

A commonly occurring arrangement made up of multiple secondary structures

Explanation:

A protein motif (aka supersecondary structure) is a defined arrangement of secondary structures within a protein. It is commonly occurring enough to have an identified structure. An example would be the beta-alpha-beta loop. While the arrangement is made up of secondary structure, the overall motif itself can be considered supersecondary or possibly even tertiary, though its components are secondary structures. Motif's do not necessarily have a defined function across different proteins. Protein domains on the other hand, do.

Example Question #1 : Secondary Structure

What type of bonds are the "backbone" of secondary protein structure?

Possible Answers:

Amide bonds

Hydrogen bonds

Amino acid bonds

Peptide bonds

Van der Waals interactions

Correct answer:

Hydrogen bonds

Explanation:

Hydrogen bonds stabilize interactions among the amide and carboxyl groups in the main chain of the polypeptide. These interactions may induce the formation of alpha-helices and/or beta-pleated sheets.

Example Question #2 : Secondary Structure

Which of the following amino acids is least likely to be found in the middle of an alpha helix?

Possible Answers:

Proline

Methionine

Serine

Glutamic acid

Correct answer:

Proline

Explanation:

Proline is bound to two alkyl groups thus giving it a planar configuration, giving the nitrogen only the ability to accept hydrogen bonds not donate them. While this is not a problem at the beginning of an alpha helix this can disturb the bonds if place further down the chain. Thus proline is often referred to as the "alpha helix buster."

Example Question #2 : Secondary Structure

The stabilization of secondary structure in polypeptides is conferred by which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Metal cations

Disulfide bonds

The R-groups of the amino acids

The amino acid backbones

The phosphate groups

Correct answer:

The amino acid backbones

Explanation:

Alpha helices and beta sheet, the dominant secondary structural motifs in polypeptides are formed by hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl and amino groups of the amino acid backbone.

Example Question #3 : Secondary Structure

Why are antiparallel beta sheets more stable than parallel beta sheets? 

Possible Answers:

The hydrogen bonding angle is optimized by antiparallel sheets

The hydrogen bond angle is 150 degrees

There are more covalent interactions between its amino acids

There are more hydrophobic interactions between its amino acids

The antiparallel sheets are composed of more stable amino acids

Correct answer:

The hydrogen bonding angle is optimized by antiparallel sheets

Explanation:

In an antiparallel beta sheet, the hydrogen bonding angle is 180 degrees and optimal; this is the most stable angle. In parallel sheets, it is a less stable 150 degrees. Whether a sheet is parallel or antiparallel does not tell us anything about what amino acids it is composed of, so each of the other answers is incorrect.

Example Question #1 : Secondary Structure

In a sequence of amino acids within an alpha helix, between which amino acids in the sequence does hydrogen bonding occur (i.e. every how many amino acids)?

Possible Answers:

1 and 5, so every 5 amino acids

1 and 4, so every 4 amino acids

1 and 6, so every 6 amino acids

1 and 6, so every 4 amino acids

1 and 3, so every 3 amino acids

Correct answer:

1 and 4, so every 4 amino acids

Explanation:

In an alpha helix, hydrogen bonding occurs every four amino acids, starting from the 1st binding to the 4th in the sequence; the 2nd amino acid binds to the 6th, the 3rd to the 7th, and so on. 

Example Question #4 : Secondary Structure

With respect to proteins, alpha structures are __________ and beta structures are __________.

Possible Answers:

left . . . right

parallel . . . antiparallel

primary . . . secondary

helices . . . pleated sheets

L . . . D

Correct answer:

helices . . . pleated sheets

Explanation:

Alpha helices and beta pleated sheets are two forms of secondary structure. Alpha helices can be either right handed (counterclockwise) or left handed (clockwise). Beta pleated sheets can be either parallel (amino and carbonyl groups do not line up) or anti parallel (amino and carbonyl groups line up). 

Example Question #1 : Secondary Structure

Which of the following amino acids is found in beta turns?

Possible Answers:

Histidine 

Cysteine

Methionine

Glutamine

Proline

Correct answer:

Proline

Explanation:

Glycine and proline are the two amino acids that are found in beta turns. These 180 degree turns are composed of four total amino acids. 

Example Question #10 : Secondary Structure

A(n) __________ is formed by antiparallel beta sheets, where the first and last strands are connected via hydrogen bonding.

Possible Answers:

beta barrel

alpha domain

Rossman fold

helix-turn-helix

Correct answer:

beta barrel

Explanation:

All the answer choices are different examples of protein supersecondary structures. Beta barrels are commonly found in transmembrane porin proteins.

Example Question #71 : Biochemistry

What is the only level of protein structure that does not involve covalent bonding?

Possible Answers:

Secondary structure

Primary structure

Quaternary structure

Tertiary structure

Correct answer:

Secondary structure

Explanation:

Covalent bonding is when two nonmetals share electrons in order to form a bond. This type of bonding can be observed in the primary (peptide bonds), tertiary (disulfide bonds), and quaternary (disulfide bonds) levels of protein structure. The secondary structure of proteins only uses hydrogen bonding as the folding force.

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