Topic 2.4:  Proteins

Essential Idea:  Proteins have a very wide range of functions in living organisms.
At SHS, Topic 2.4 is taught in the following class unit(s):

Statements & Objectives:

2.4.U1  Amino Acids are linked together by condensation to form polypeptides.
  • Describe polypeptide chain formation in terms of the formation of peptide bonds and condensation reactions.
  • Determine the number of peptide bonds given the number of amino acids in a polypeptide.
  • Define dipeptide, oligopeptides and polypeptide.  
2.4.U2  There are 20 different amino acids in polypeptides synthesized on ribosomes.
  • State the number of amino acids used by living organisms to make polypeptides.
  • Given an image of an amino acid, classify the amino acid chemical properties based on R group properties. 
  • Outline the role vitamin C plays in the conversion of proline to hydroxyproline.  ​
2.4.U3  Amino Acids can be linked together in any sequence giving a huge range of possible polypeptides.
  • Calculate the possible number of amino acid sequences given n number of amino acids.
2.4.U4  The amino acid sequence of polypeptides is coded for by genes.
  • Outline the relationship between genes and polypeptides.
2.4.U5  A protein may consist of a single polypeptide or more than one polypeptide linked together.
  • Outline the structure and function of three example proteins composed of two or more polypeptides linked together.
2.4.U6  The amino acid sequence determines the three-dimensional conformation of a protein.
  • Contrast the structure of globular proteins with the structure of fibrous proteins.
  • Describe the structure of membrane bound globular proteins.
2.4.U7  Living organisms synthesize many different proteins with a wide range of functions.
  • Contrast the generalized function of globular proteins with generalized function of fibrous proteins.
  • List ten functions of proteins in a cell or organism.
  • Describe the function of enzyme proteins.
  • Describe the function of hormone proteins.
  • Describe the function of immunoglobulin proteins.
  • Describe the function of pigment proteins.
  • Describe the function of structural proteins
2.4.U8  Every individual has a unique proteome.
  • Define proteome.
  • Contrast proteome with genome.
2.4.A1  Rubisco, insulin immunoglobulins, rhodopsin, collagen and spider silk as examples of the range of protein functions.
  • State the function of each of the following proteins:  rubisco, insulin, immunoglobulin, rhodopsin. collagen, spider silk, actin, myosin, casein, hemoglobin, acetylcholine receptor, oxytocin, prolactin, ferritin, billirubin, fibrinogen, transferrin and albumin.
2.4.A2  Denaturation of proteins by heat or by deviation of pH from the optimum.
  • Define denaturation.
  • Outline the effect of heat and pH on protein structure.
2.4.S1   Drawing molecular diagrams to show the formation of a peptide bond.
  • Draw peptide bond formation in a condensation reactions.
2.4.NOS  Looking for patterns, trends, and discrepancies- most but not all organisms assemble proteins from the same amino acids.
  • Explain the trend of organisms assembly of polypeptides from the same amino acids.
  • Describe a discrepancy of the trend of all organisms using the same amino acids to assemble polypeptides.
"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe."  -  John Muir,   1911