Are The Four Macromolecules Do You Believe To Be The Most Important For Life
PROTEINS AND NUCLEIC ACIDS
28/11/13
Qn. Which two of the four macromolecules do you believe to be the most important for life? Give evidence to support your suggestion (include a full description of the macromolecules you describe both in terms of structure and function)
Introduction
All the four macromolecules=lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids= are essential for the functioning of an organism 's body (Campbell, biology). They work hand in hand to help us survive. For example, Lipids are an immediate energy source. ATP, for example, is used by the body when in energy deficit. Proteins are needed to form muscles and bones. Carbohydrates are the main energy source for the body. Without this energy, we would not be able to …show more content…
A polypeptide coiled into a specific 3-dimensional shape makes a protein. (Campbell, biology, pp78)
Proteins are divided into two classes: fibrous and globular proteins. Globular proteins are compact, soluble, and spherical in shape, while Fibrous proteins are elongated and insoluble. Globular and fibrous proteins may sometimes display different types of protein structure. These structure types are; primary, secondary and tertiary structure (Campbell biology, pp82-83)
1. Primary structure
Primary structure refers to the unique order of amino acids to form a protein.Protein is constructed from 20 amino acids. All amino acids have a hydrogen atom (H), carboxyl group (-COOH), and an amino R group. The R group is the one that determines the difference between proteins because it varies for every protein …show more content…
Secondary structure
The structure involves the folding and coiling of the polypeptide chain to give protein its 3-dimensional shape. Protein has two types of secondary structure; the alpha (α) helix and the beta (β) pleated sheet, refer to figure 3. The α helix is coiled and held together by a hydrogen bond in the polypeptide chain, whereas the beta sheet has pleated sheets of the "polypeptide chain lying side by side and connected by hydrogen bonds"(Campell,Biology,pp82 )
3. Tertiary structure
Tertiary structure focuses on the polypeptide and the interaction between the R groups of the various amino acids. There are many interactions but I am going to discuss only two. The first interaction is called Hydrophobic-Hydrophobic interaction. In this interaction, the R groups of the protein are either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. The Hydrophilic R groups want a water environment while hydrophobic R groups repel water environments. Hydrogen bonding is the second interaction. This exists between polypeptides and R groups to help the protein stick together, thus to maintain its shape and stability.
Importance of
28/11/13
Qn. Which two of the four macromolecules do you believe to be the most important for life? Give evidence to support your suggestion (include a full description of the macromolecules you describe both in terms of structure and function)
Introduction
All the four macromolecules=lipids, proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids= are essential for the functioning of an organism 's body (Campbell, biology). They work hand in hand to help us survive. For example, Lipids are an immediate energy source. ATP, for example, is used by the body when in energy deficit. Proteins are needed to form muscles and bones. Carbohydrates are the main energy source for the body. Without this energy, we would not be able to …show more content…
A polypeptide coiled into a specific 3-dimensional shape makes a protein. (Campbell, biology, pp78)
Proteins are divided into two classes: fibrous and globular proteins. Globular proteins are compact, soluble, and spherical in shape, while Fibrous proteins are elongated and insoluble. Globular and fibrous proteins may sometimes display different types of protein structure. These structure types are; primary, secondary and tertiary structure (Campbell biology, pp82-83)
1. Primary structure
Primary structure refers to the unique order of amino acids to form a protein.Protein is constructed from 20 amino acids. All amino acids have a hydrogen atom (H), carboxyl group (-COOH), and an amino R group. The R group is the one that determines the difference between proteins because it varies for every protein …show more content…
Secondary structure
The structure involves the folding and coiling of the polypeptide chain to give protein its 3-dimensional shape. Protein has two types of secondary structure; the alpha (α) helix and the beta (β) pleated sheet, refer to figure 3. The α helix is coiled and held together by a hydrogen bond in the polypeptide chain, whereas the beta sheet has pleated sheets of the "polypeptide chain lying side by side and connected by hydrogen bonds"(Campell,Biology,pp82 )
3. Tertiary structure
Tertiary structure focuses on the polypeptide and the interaction between the R groups of the various amino acids. There are many interactions but I am going to discuss only two. The first interaction is called Hydrophobic-Hydrophobic interaction. In this interaction, the R groups of the protein are either hydrophobic or hydrophilic. The Hydrophilic R groups want a water environment while hydrophobic R groups repel water environments. Hydrogen bonding is the second interaction. This exists between polypeptides and R groups to help the protein stick together, thus to maintain its shape and stability.
Importance of