H - Chem - Proteins

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What are proteins?

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Proteins are the major structural materials of animal tissue and are involved in the maintenance and regulation of life processes.

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What are enzymes?

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Enzymes are proteins that act as biological catalysts.

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What are amino acids?

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Amino acids are the building blocks from which proteins are formed. They are relatively small molecules containing an amino group, —NH2, and a carboxyl group, —COOH.

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How are proteins formed?

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Proteins are made of many amino acid molecules linked together by condensation reactions, where the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another join, eliminating water.

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What is a peptide link?

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A peptide link, also known as an amide link, is the bond —CONH— that forms between two amino acids.

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What are essential amino acids?

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Essential amino acids are those that the body cannot synthesize and must be obtained from the diet.

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What happens during digestion of proteins?

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During digestion, enzyme hydrolysis of protein produces amino acids.

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How are proteins structured?

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Within proteins, long-chain molecules form spirals, sheets, or other complex shapes, held by intermolecular bonding between the side chains of the constituent amino acids.

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What happens when proteins are heated?

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When proteins are heated, intermolecular bonds are broken, allowing the proteins to change shape (denature), which causes the texture to change when cooked.

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