Fundamentals of Biology

Proteins, Levels of Structure, Non-Covalent Forces

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Session Overview

This session will introduce the general composition, structure, and function of proteins. The relationship between structure and function of a protein will be emphasized. Learning Objectives To understand the general composition of a protein. To draw a generic amino acid and categorize each of the 20 amino acids appropriately based upon the nature of the side chain. To understand primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary levels of protein structure and know what types of bonds and forces stabilize each level. To understand the effect of an amino acid substitution on the general structure and function of a protein.

Session Activities

Lecture Video

Watch the lecture video excerpt

• Proteins, Levels of Structure, Non-Covalent Forces, Excerpt 1

Check Yourself

Question 1

How many different functional groups are attached to the alpha carbon of an amino acid?

1 close

2 close

3 close

4 check

5 close

Check

Question 2

A polypeptide chain is polymerized in which direction?

3’ to 5’ close

5’ to 3’ close

Amino to carboxyl check

Carboxyl to amino close

Check

Question 3

Which of the following can be described as “a localized region of three dimensional structure that is stabilized by hydrogen bonds formed between the amine of one amino acid and the carboxyl of another amino acid”?

primary structure close

quaternary structure close

secondary structure check

tertiary structure close

Check

Session Activities

Lecture Video

Watch the lecture video excerpt

• Proteins, Levels of Structure, Non-Covalent Forces, Excerpt 2

Check Yourself

Structures of the 20 amino acids (PDF)

Question 1

The amino acids leucine, valine, and phenylalanine would best be described as…

non-polar check

polar and negatively charged close

polar and positively charged close

polar and uncharged close

Check

Question 2

The side chain of serine can form a hydrogen bond with the side chain of which of the following amino acids? Choose all that apply. 1. isoleucine 2. alanine 3. threonine 4. asparigine 5. proline

a, b, c close

a, b, c, d, e close

c, d check

d, e close

Check

Session Activities

Practice Problems

• Problems (PDF)
• Solutions (PDF)

Further Study

Study Guides

• Structures of the 20 amino acids (PDF)

Useful Links

• StarBiochem 3-D Protein Viewer
• Protein folding
• Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, and Quaternary Structure of Proteins
• Gecko Locomotion videos

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