Essay On Protein Structure

[4] – Frank Schluenzen et al, Structure of Functionally Active Small Ribosomal Subunit at 3.3A Resolution

In the early 1950s, the race to find the structure of DNA was in full swing. The search was being conducted at three different colleges. At the California Institute of Technology, Linus Pauling,

Structure and function in Biology is a broad concept that can be explored within a diverse range of topics across the subject matter. The following essay will be focussed mainly on the subject of Deoxyribonucleic Acid, or more commonly DNA. DNA is a highly complex, intricate and extraordinary macromolecule found within all living cells. DNA is a "biochemical noun" and can be defined as "...a self-replicating material which is present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information." [Oxford Dictionary, c2016] DNA is found in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells, enclosed within a double membrane. Eukaryotic cells are multifaceted and require a high level of regulation to ensure smooth functioning. The double membrane of the nucleus allows gene expression, a key function of DNA, to be efficiently regulated.

Also, DNA sequencing allows matching organ donors with recipients in transplant programs (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). Another societal impact due to DNA sequencing is the use of it to identify paternity and other family relationships (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). In addition, DNA sequencing has allowed the study of evolution through germline mutations in lineages by studying the migration of different population groups based on maternal genetic inheritance (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). Thus, DNA sequencing has provided DNA identification and the understanding of evolution in

Proteins are made of amino acids, which are compounds built around a central carbon atom. Amino acids then join together through dehydration reactions. These are called peptide bonds. Many amino acids joined together are called polypeptides. A polypeptide becomes a protein when it folds into a three dimensional structure. This is the primary structure of a protein. The next structure in the hierarchy is the secondary structure. Secondary structures can either form alpha helixes, where an amino acid sequence forces the polypeptide to twist into a helical shape; or beta sheets, where an amino acid sequence forces the polypeptide into a zigzag shape. In the tertiary structure, the polypeptide folds several times on itself to form a more complex three dimensional shape. A quaternary structure is when two tertiary structures interact with each other. This is when a protein becomes a functional

1.A. Original model of an essential amino acid Phenylalanine. This shows the atoms and bonds in both the backbone and the side chain.

Proteins are polymeric chains that are built from monomers called amino acids. All structural and functional properties of proteins derive from the chemical properties of the polypeptide chain. There are four levels of protein structural organization: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. Primary structure is defined as the linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. The secondary structure refers to certain regular geometric figures of the chain. Tertiary structure results from long-range contacts within the chain. The quaternary structure is the organization of protein subunits, or two or more independent polypeptide chains.

Molecular biology also has a lot to do with evolution. Molecular biology (DNA) is the study of DNA. DNA is found in our cells. DNA is who we are. DNA can be traced back using advanced technology. Using this we can compare and contrast the differences in DNA from past species to present species.

DNA tells amino acids how to line up to form protein shapes. There are 20 different kinds of amino acids, each one has a different chemical makeup. (Wexler 3) Amino acids are needed to create proteins. Amino acids are the building blocks of

Protein Synthesis Protein Synthesis is the process whereby DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) codes for the production of essential proteins, such as enzymes and hormones. Proteins are long chains of molecules called amino acids. Different proteins are made by using different sequences and varying numbers of amino acids. The smallest protein consists of fifty amino acids and the largest is about three thousand amino acids long. Protein synthesis occurs on ribosomes in the cytoplasm of a cell but is controlled by DNA located in the nucleus.

The Functions of Proteins Introduction Protein accounts for about three-fourths of the dry matter in human tissues other than fat and bone. It is a major structural component of hair, skin, nails, connective tissues, and body organs. It is required for practically every essential function in the body. Proteins are made from the following elements; carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and often sulphur and phosphorus.

Us, Homo sapiens, and pan troglodytes shared a common ancestor at least 5 to 7 million years ago (Mya). Its crazy to think that we have some of the same genes of an animal that we see at the zoo. Since the pan troglodytes is the closest model organism with a common ancestor as us, it makes the pan troglodytes are the most useful to understanding biology and evolution, of course next to the human genome itself. Scientist have also discovered that there are around 40 million differences in genes among the three billion DNA molecules, in each genome.

Introduction: The goal of this experiment was to practice using the FirstGlance in Jmol molecular visualization to examine key structural features of proteins. This work is important because protein structure can be related to function, multiple-sequence alignments and evolutionary preservation, and designing drug. FirstGlance in Jmol makes it fairly easy to perceive structure-function relationships in the protein you chose. Using FirstGlance, it is easy to visualize and distinguish chains, and disulfide bonds are obvious. Alpha helices and beta strands are evident due to the "cartoon" secondary structural schematic.

In most instances, protein molecules are usually embedded from hundreds to thousands of amino acids. A repertoire of twenty different amino acids, joined in any possible sequence allows the existence of an inconceivably large number of proteins that is infinite in nature.

Protein synthesis is one of the most fundamental biological processes. To start off, a protein is made in a ribosome. There are many cellular mechanisms involved with protein synthesis. Before the process of protein synthesis can be described, a person must know what proteins are made out of. There are four basic levels of protein organization. The first is primary structure, followed by secondary structure, then tertiary structure, and the last level is quaternary structure. Once someone understands the makeup of a protein, they can then begin to learn how elements can combine and go from genes to protein. There are two main processes that occur during protein synthesis, or peptide formation. One is transcription and