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Structure Of An Essential Amino Acid

Decent Essays

Task 2: Protein Structure
Task 2a: model of an essential amino acid.

Methionine (C5H11NO2S) is a Non polar (hydrophobic) essential amino acid that contains a sulfur atom. According to Wolf (2000), a hydrophobic molecule such as Methionine is usually located near the center of a protein covered by hydrophilic molecules.
The R-group of Methionine is relatively non-reactive. It, therefore, plays more structural protein roles than functional protein (Betts & Russell, 2003). Due to its non-reactivity Methionine does not actively participate in chemical reaction that occurs at the active site of an enzyme. However, the sulfur atom has potential for oxidation (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Arizona, 2003). Its flammability likelihood of low, but its combustibility potential can be realized at high temperatures (Science lab, 2013).
Although the carboxyl end has a pKa of 2.28 and that of the amino end has a pKa pf 9.21 (Science lab, 2013), the R-group of Methionine is neutral (Nave, 2012).

Task 2b: A series of diagrams, with clear labels, of the different levels of protein structure (i.e. Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary).

Task 2c: diagram that demonstrates how a peptide bond is made through dehydration, using a complete chemical equation.

Task 2d: diagram that demonstrates how a peptide bond is broken through hydrolysis, using a complete chemical equation.

Task 2e: Explain the four forces (i.e. bonds or interactions) that

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