High School Biology : Proteins

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Proteins

Which of the following inhibitors will block the active site of a protein?

Possible Answers:

Allosteric inhibitor

All of these will block the active site of a protein

Competitive inhibitor

Uncompetive inhibitor

Non-competitive inhibitor 

Correct answer:

Competitive inhibitor

Explanation:

Proteins can be inhibited in numerous ways by different types of inhibitors. Competitive inhibitors will compete with substrate for the active site to block the protein from performing its function. If there is enough substrate and very little competitive inhibitor, proteins will perform their functions almost as if there were no competitive inhibitors.

In contrast, allosteric inhibitors bind to regions of the protein away from the active site, but change the shape of the active site such that substrate cannot bind. Since there is no direct competition, increasing substrate concentration cannot overcome allosteric inhibition. Non-competitive inhibition is a type of allosteric inhibition. Uncompetitive inhibition occurs when the inhibitor will only bind to the enzyme-substrate complex, locking the substrate in place and preventing other substrates from binding.

Example Question #31 : Proteins

The active site of a protein works in a way similar to __________.

Possible Answers:

a lock and key

a gate in a fence

a hole in a wall

the shuffle button on an MP3 player

a motor in a car

Correct answer:

a lock and key

Explanation:

The active site on a protein is the area where a substrate can attach. This relationship is most often described using a metaphor of a lock and a key because each protein has an active site specific to one substrate much like a lock can only be opened by one key.

Example Question #31 : Proteins

__________ modification of an enzyme permits an effector molecule to bind the enzyme at a site other than the active site. This can modulate the enzyme's activity to make it either more or less active.

Possible Answers:

Agonist

Antagonist

Cofactor

Inhibitory 

Allosteric

Correct answer:

Allosteric

Explanation:

The key here is to know that if something binds the enzyme at a location other than the active site, the type of modification is defined as allosteric. The other words more generally describe things that can bind to receptors, enzymes, etc., but the best and most specific answer is "allosteric."

Example Question #4 : Understanding Active Sites

Which of the following best describes why an enzyme loses its catalytic capabilities when exposed to extremely high temperatures?

Possible Answers:

All of these statements describe mechanisms by which heat destroys the catalytic activity of an enzyme

Covalent modifications made to the enzyme are disrupted by high temperatures and the enzyme cannot bind its substrate

All substrates are degraded at high temperatures, and therefore there is no reaction to catalyze

The activation energy of the reaction becomes so great that the enzyme cannot overcome the energy, and therefore cannot catalyze reactions

The bonds maintaining the shape of the enzyme are broken, and the active site loses its conformation and can no longer bind its proper substrate

Correct answer:

The bonds maintaining the shape of the enzyme are broken, and the active site loses its conformation and can no longer bind its proper substrate

Explanation:

It is important to know that when exposed to high temperatures, all proteins become denatured, and lose their native shape/conformation.

This has nothing to do with the activation energy of the reaction (eliminating that answer). While some substrates may be degraded at high temperatures, the word "all" renders this answer incorrect, nor does this describe what happens to the enzyme. Covalent modificatinos can change enzymatic function, but do not have anything to do with higher temperature.

The correct answer is that the enzyme itself is denatured, thus changing the shape and the way the active site is shaped, resulting in an inability to efficiently bind its substrate. The structure of the enzyme is dictated by intermolecular forces, which are susceptible to interference from temperature changes (unlike covalent bonds).

Example Question #32 : Proteins

Which mode of enzyme inhibition involves an inhibitor molecule binding the active site of the enzyme?

Possible Answers:

Competitive inhibition

Non-competitive inhibition

Uncompetitive inhibition

Mixed inhibition

Irreversible inhibition

Correct answer:

Competitive inhibition

Explanation:

Competitive inhibition is the only type of inhibition in which the inhibitor molecule directly binds the active site of the enzyme, thereby 'competing' with the actual substrate for location on the enzyme. The other choices involve binding elsewhere on the enzyme (non-competitive) or binding the enzyme-substrate complex but not an isolated enzyme (mixed), but none of them describe binding the active site except for competitive. 

Example Question #1 : Understanding Protein Classifications

Collagen is an example of which type of protein?

Possible Answers:

Integral protein

Globular protein

Enzyme

Structural protein

Correct answer:

Structural protein

Explanation:

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It adds great strength and flexibility to skin, tendons, and ligaments. These qualities are characteristic of structural proteins.

Globular proteins are generally rounded, protecting a nonpolar center from the aqueous environment around the protein. Most cytoplasmic proteins and enzymes are globular proteins. In contrast, fibrous proteins are generally elongated and designed for structural support; collagen is a fibrous protein, in addition to a structural protein. Integral proteins span the plasma membrane, often creating channels.

Example Question #33 : Proteins

Which of the following refers to the bond between two amino acids?

Possible Answers:

Polar bond

Ionic bond

Ester bond

Peptide bond

Glycosidic bond

Correct answer:

Peptide bond

Explanation:

A peptide bond is formed between the carboxyl group and amino group of adjoining amino acids. The energy in proteins is released when peptide bonds are broken. Peptide bonds also determine the primary structure of proteins.

An ionic bond is formed when one element loses an electron and another element gains an electron. Ionic bonds most frequently form between metals and non-metals, and are not commonly seen in proteins.

A glycosidic bond is formed between a carbohydrate and another molecule. Glycosidic bonds can help form carbohydrate polymers, like glycogen, or link sugars to other groups, like in the DNA backbone.

An ester bond can be found in fatty acids, and contains a carbonyl group next to an ether linkage.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Protein Classifications

Which of the following types of protein can move around within the lipid bilayer?

Possible Answers:

None of these can move around in the lipid bilayer

Integral membrane proteins

Mitochondrial proteins

Peripheral membrane proteins

Intermembrane proteins

Correct answer:

Peripheral membrane proteins

Explanation:

Proteins are classified into several categories based on where they perform their function. Peripheral membrane proteins span only one side of the lipid bilayer and thus have mobility. Unlike integral membrane proteins, which span the entire lipid bilayer, peripheral membrane proteins have the liberty of traveling from layer to layer as well as flip flop between the two bilayers.

Example Question #21 : Protein Structure

Which type of enzyme is responsible for rearranging a substrate, but not altering its chemical formula?

Possible Answers:

Hydrolase

Ligase

Isomerase

Oxidoreductase

Correct answer:

Isomerase

Explanation:

Isomers are molecules that have the same molecular formula, but have different chemical structures. Isomerases are enzymes that are able to rearrange the structure of a molecule while keeping its chemical formula the same.

Example Question #34 : Proteins

Complete and incomplete are classifications of __________.

Possible Answers:

electrolytes

neurotransmitters

proteins

enzymes

minerals

Correct answer:

proteins

Explanation:

A protein consists of amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body, and must be included in the diet. A protein containing all of the essential amino acids is called a complete protein. An incomplete protein lacks one or more of the essential amino acids.

Neurotransmitters are chemicals that relay messages from one cell to the next. Enzymes are protein catalysts that speed up biological reactions. Minerals are inorganic compounds and are not present in the body in large amounts, with the exception of hydroxyapatite crystal found in bones. Electrolytes are ionic salts in the blood, tissue fluids, and cells, such as sodium, potassium, and chlorine. 

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