Biology 1002B Study Guide - Midterm Guide: Disulfide, Alpha Helix, Beta Sheet
Document Summary
Proteins are made up of sequences of amino acids called polymers. Covalent bonds link amino acids into chains called polypeptides. In regards to the alpha helix, it is a coil shape as a result of a hydrogen bond between the h in every nh group, and the o in every c=o group. A cofactor (also called a prosthetic group) is a nonprotein chemical compound that is bound to a protein and is required for the protein to function. example: heme. In many proteins, folding of the polypeptide(s) produces distinct, large structural subdivisions called domains. Often, one domain of a protein is connected to another by a segment of random coil. The hinge formed by the flexible random coil allows domains to move with respect to one another. Unfolding a protein from its active conformation so that it loses its structure and function is called denaturation.
