Emotional Spell
Protein Structure Study Guide
1. Draw the structure of a peptide bond between two amino acids. Why is it said that the C-N bond has a partial double bond structure. Draw the resonance states of the double bond.
Between each amino acid residue is a C=O and N-H bond. Due to the double bond that C=O has it is a good accepter for hydrogen bonding, while N-H is a good donor for hydrogen bonding. The C=O bonds and the N-H bonds both are used to stabilize the protein sequence.
[pic]
2. Explain the reason why the six atoms that are involved in the peptide bond share a common geometric plane?
Due to the free electron pair on nitrogen there is a partial resonance structure between the C=O and the C=N causing the structure to have no freedom of rotation. All peptide bonds occur in this Trans conformation.
[pic]
3. Explain the term “polypeptide backbone”.
Polypeptides are amino acids linked together by peptide bonds therefore creating a structure known as a polypeptide. A polypeptide backbone is a key contributor to the secondary structure of a protein due to the backbone to backbone hydrogen bonding interactions.
4. What are the only two covalent bonds along a polypeptide backbone that have freedom of rotation?
The two covalent bonds along a polypeptide backbone that have freedom of rotation are the amino to alpha carbon bond as well as the alpha carbon to the carbonyl group. The bond between the amino and the alpha carbon are called (phi bonds) whereas the bonds between the alpha carbon and the carbonyl group are called (psi bonds).
5. What are the φ and ψ angles? How are they measured? What are the possible values for each?
The bond between the amino and the alpha carbon are called (phi bonds) whereas the bonds between the alpha carbon and the carbonyl group are called (psi bonds). The (phi) and (psi) angles will range from 180 degrees to -180 degrees/ (180 degrees or -180 degrees) ***** When the first and fourth atoms are farthest
1. Draw the structure of a peptide bond between two amino acids. Why is it said that the C-N bond has a partial double bond structure. Draw the resonance states of the double bond.
Between each amino acid residue is a C=O and N-H bond. Due to the double bond that C=O has it is a good accepter for hydrogen bonding, while N-H is a good donor for hydrogen bonding. The C=O bonds and the N-H bonds both are used to stabilize the protein sequence.
[pic]
2. Explain the reason why the six atoms that are involved in the peptide bond share a common geometric plane?
Due to the free electron pair on nitrogen there is a partial resonance structure between the C=O and the C=N causing the structure to have no freedom of rotation. All peptide bonds occur in this Trans conformation.
[pic]
3. Explain the term “polypeptide backbone”.
Polypeptides are amino acids linked together by peptide bonds therefore creating a structure known as a polypeptide. A polypeptide backbone is a key contributor to the secondary structure of a protein due to the backbone to backbone hydrogen bonding interactions.
4. What are the only two covalent bonds along a polypeptide backbone that have freedom of rotation?
The two covalent bonds along a polypeptide backbone that have freedom of rotation are the amino to alpha carbon bond as well as the alpha carbon to the carbonyl group. The bond between the amino and the alpha carbon are called (phi bonds) whereas the bonds between the alpha carbon and the carbonyl group are called (psi bonds).
5. What are the φ and ψ angles? How are they measured? What are the possible values for each?
The bond between the amino and the alpha carbon are called (phi bonds) whereas the bonds between the alpha carbon and the carbonyl group are called (psi bonds). The (phi) and (psi) angles will range from 180 degrees to -180 degrees/ (180 degrees or -180 degrees) ***** When the first and fourth atoms are farthest