Protein

“Proteins are polymers of amino acids”

The name of protein derived from the Greek word called Proteiosis means first place.
Protein contain atom of:
• Carbon • Nitrogen
• Hydrogen • Sometime sulfur
• Oxygen
Amino acids:
• Are the building blocks of proteins
• Contains an amino group (NH2), carboxyl group (COOH), hydrogen atom and
functional group R.
• These all are bounded to a central carbon atom called α-carbon.
Amino acids are divided into two groups on the basis of properties of R group:
• Hydrophobic: Have non-polar side chains.
• Hydrophilic: Have polar side chains. Two types:
 Acidic amino acids (Negative in charge)
 Basic amino acids (Positive in charge)
peptide bond
“ The carboxyl group of one amino acid bonds to the amino group of another amino acid called peptide bond” to form a
long chain of amino acids.
e.g. dipeptide, tripeptide, polypeptide.
Protein Structure
 Primary structure
 Secondary structure
α-helix
Β-pleated sheet
 Tertiary structure
 Quaternary structure
Primary Structure:
“The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain”
e.g. Lysozyme is an anti-bacterial enzyme. Composed of only 129
amino acids. Present in saliva, tears and other body secretions.
Secondary structure:
“The structure formed by folding and coiling of polypeptide chain
with the help of hydrogen bonding”
• α-helix: “A delicate coil of polypeptide chain held together by hydrogen bonding between every fourth peptide
bond” ( 1st described by Linus Paulind and Robert Corey in 1951)
• Β-pleated sheet: “A sheet of polypeptide chain formed by the
folding back and forth of the polypeptide chain” e.g. fibrous
protein
Tertiary structure:
“The structure formed by folding of helix or sheet into a three dimensional shape”
Two types of forces are involved in the formation of tertiary structure:
• Hydrophobic • Disulphide bridge
Quaternary structure:
“The structure formed by the aggregation of two or more polypeptide chains” e.g. collegen, hemoglobin.
Functions of proteins
• Protein as a structural unit • Enzymes
• Energy source • Reserve food
• Defense of body • Structural fiber
• Proteins are chemical messenger • Contractility
• Receptors on cell membrane

Set by M.Ahmed