Protein and Amino Acid

Subject: BIOCHEMISTRY
PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS.
PROTEIN Means FIRST RANK

1. Proteins can be defined as the polymers of specific amino acid arrange in a particular manner which
perform definite function.
2. Proteins are the most important organic compounds of the cell which carry out virtually all of the
cell's activities.
3. They constitute major part of the dry weight of a cell.
4. Proteins are the complex organic compounds having C, H, O and N as elements, sometimes they
contains S also.
5. Due to presence of N in large proportion they are called nitrogenous compounds.
6. Proteins are the building blocks of tissues. Many parts of the body such as hair, nails and feathers
are also protein. Whereas meat, fish, milk and pulses are the major source of protein.
Amino acid as a building block of protein.

1. Proteins are macromolecule or polymers of amino acids.
2. These amino acids are monomers and linked with each other by a covalent bond called peptide
bond or peptide linkage.
3. Each protein has a unique sequence of amino acids that gives the unique properties to these
molecules.
4. There are twenty basic amino acids which constitute each type of protein, found in viruses to
human being
Structure of Amino acid.
Amino acids are organic compounds which contain at least one amino group (-NH2) which work as
base and one carboxylic acid, work as acid, both are chemically bonded to an asymmetric carbon, this
carbon is also called Carbon. The general structure of amino acid is.
All 20 amino acids have same formula except R group i.e. Radical group, which is variable, the types
of 20 amino acids based on the variability of R as shown in following simple amino acids.
Formation and Breakdown of peptide linkage.

The protein or polypeptide chain is formed by linking amino acids by peptide bond. The peptide
bonds are formed by linking amino group of one amino acid with carboxylic acid of another amino
acid by releasing one water molecule as given below.
The polypeptide chain can be broken by breaking peptide bonds by the process of hydrolysis with the
help of hydrolytic enzymes.
The protein chain can be broken into small chain of more than 10 amino acids called peptone,
whereas peptone can be hydrolysis further into small units of few amino acid called peptide which are
further hydrolysis into amino acids.
Classification of Protein.
Proteins can be classified on the basis of composition in two following groups.
(i) Fibrous Protein
(ii) Globular Proteins
(i) Fibrous Protein:

These are long fibers of proteins. The secondary protein (spiral) chains intertwine with each other's
they are consist of more polypeptide chains in the form of fibrils these proteins are insoluble in
water, non-crystalline and elastic in nature. They perform structural role in cells and organism e.g.
silk, spider web, myosin in muscles, fibers and clothing, Keratin of nails and hairs.
(ii) Globular Proteins:

These are spherical or ellipsoidal due to three dimensional fold of secondary protein. These are either
tertiary or quaternary in structure. They are soluble in salt, acid or base containing aqueous
medium or alcohol. They can be crystalized. These proteins work as enzyme, antibodies, hormones
and hemoglobin.
BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF PROTEINS

 Digestive Enzymes
Certain proteins act as digestive enzymes. In other words, they catabolize nutrients into constituent
monomeric units. Examples of digestive enzymes include pepsin and amylase.
 Structural Proteins
Proteins are integral as they form components of certain structures. Examples include keratin and
tubulin.
 Hormonal Functions
Hormones are paramount for regulating body functions. Insulin is one such example.
 Transportation
Proteins play a major role in transporting substances throughout the body. Examples of such proteins
include haemoglobin.
 Defence and Protection
Another major function of proteins is that they form a part of the immune system and protect the body
from pathogens. Example of such a protein is immunoglobulin.
 Storage Functions
Proteins also provide nourishment for development of embryo – such as albumin, or the egg white.
STRUCTURE OF PROTEINS:
There are four basis structural levels of protein.
i-Primary Structure:
A polypeptide chain having a linear sequence of amino acid is called primary structure e.g.
insulin.
ii-Secondary Structure:
When a polypeptide chain of amino acid become spirally coiled this structure is called
secondary structure of protein result in the formation of a rigid and tubular structure called Helix. e.g.
hairs, spiders web.
iii-Tertiary Structure:
Usually a polypeptide chain bends and folds upon itself forming a globular shape and that
refer tertiary structure of protein e.g. lysozyme
iv-Quarternary Structure:
It is the association of two or more sub-units (polypeptide chains) into large sized molecules
is called Quarternary structure. In quaternary structure the participating units may be similar or
dissimilar. If they have similar units called homogenous quaternary structure and if dissimilar called
heterogenous quaternary structure. Their example is haemoglobin.
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Subject: BIOCHEMISTRY

PROTEIN AND AMINO ACIDS.

PROTEIN Means FIRST RANK

Amino acid as a building block of protein.

Formation and Breakdown of peptide linkage.

(i) Fibrous Protein:

(ii) Globular Proteins:

BIOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF PROTEINS

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