Biochemistry

Assignment

Name: Elizabeth Mae Rivera

Section: BBB

Answer as directed.

1. List all the essential amino acids.

 Histidine
 Isoleucine
 Leucine
 Lysine
 Methionine
 Phenylalanine
 threonine
 tryptophan
 valine
2. Define essential amino acids.
Amino acids that humans and other vertebrates cannot synthesize from metabolic
intermediates.
3. What is the major structural difference among the various standard amino acids?
The α carbon, carboxyl, and amino groups are common to all amino acids, so the R-group is the
unique feature of each amino acid.
4. What is meant by the primary structure of a protein?
The primary structure of a protein is defined as the sequence of amino acids linked together to
form a polypeptide chain. Each amino acid is linked to the next amino acid through peptide
bonds created during the protein biosynthesis process.
5. What is the difference between the types of hydrogen bonding that occur in secondary and
tertiary protein structures?
The secondary structure refers to the conformations of the proteins brought about by hydrogen
bonding interactions along the peptide backbone -C=O. and H-N- groups. The tertiary structure,
on the other hand, refers to the overall 3D conformations of the protein.
6. What is meant by the quaternary structure of a protein?
The quaternary structure of a protein is the association of several protein chains or subunits into
a closely packed arrangement. Each of the subunits has its own primary, secondary, and tertiary
structure. The subunits are held together by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces between
nonpolar side chains.
7. In what way is the protein in a cooked egg the same as that in a raw egg?
The amount of protein content in an egg stays the same in any state, either raw boiled or fried.
The absorbed amount, however, is different
8. Drugs that are proteins, such as insulin, must always be injected rather than taken by mouth.
Explain why.
Insulin is a peptide hormone, therefore, destroyed by gastric acid if taken orally. Intradermal
absorption of insulin is not reliable, and it cannot mimic physiological insulin secretion. In
addition, intradermal, intramuscular, and intravenous therapy is not suitable for self-
administration daily.
9. Why is 70% ethanol rather than pure ethanol preferred for use as an antiseptic agent?
70% denatured alcohol penetrates the cell wall more completely which permeates the entire
cell, coagulates all proteins, and therefore the microorganism dies. Extra water content slows
evaporation, therefore increasing surface contact time and enhancing effectiveness.