BIOC 301 Study Guide - Final Guide: Lac Operon, Bradford Protein Assay, Coomassie Brilliant Blue
Document Summary
1 why is determining protein structure important? a structure function (e. g. active sites, docking sites, signaling protein, how mutations affect function). 2 how can protein structure be determined? a x-ray crystallography (reconstructing shape of crystal from x-ray diffraction patterns. How strong are these bonds? a non-covalent bonds that are quite weak. 4 how are protein crystals similar or different from mineral crystals? a similar: lattice formation. Different: contain solvent molecules (e. g. water), non-covalent bonds, more fragile, different crystals from the same protein. 5 what are the reagents and conditions necessary to make a crystal? a solution of protein with sufficiently high concentration and purity. Appropriate solvent (aqueous buffer) c choice of precipitant. 6 what is vapour diffusion? a solvent (water) slowly leaving a small sample (e. g. hanging drop) with low concentration and entering a reservoir with higher salt concentration. System must be sealed and isolated from external environment. Results in precipitation within the small sample (increase concentration).
