PROTEINS

Learning Objectives
At the end of our discussion, you should be able to:

1. Recognize the major categories of biological molecules;

2. State the functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids in the
body; and,

3. Express appreciation for the role of biomolecules in everyday life.

Proteins
Complex molecules that are chemically similar, being
composed of the same building blocks, the amino acids.
Major Functions:
1. participate in the body’s biochemical reactions;
2. defend the body against diseases;
3. help in the digestion of food;
4. transport oxygen gas in the blood;
5. aid in the clotting of blood;
6. regulate the activities of body cells; and
7. help the genes function properly.
Amino Acids
Building blocks of peptides and proteins.
Amino Acids
Building blocks of peptides and proteins.
Peptides
Short chains of amino acids are called peptides.

Amino acids can be linked in a reaction called condensation

polymerization, where the carboxylic group of one amino
acid reacts with the amino group of another amino acid.

Peptide bond - the bond that results from the reaction and
joins the two amino acids
Polypeptides
Dipeptide consists of two amino acids held together by a
peptide bond

Tripeptide consists of three amino acids

Oligopeptide has four to ten amino acids

Polypeptideconsist of more than ten amino acids.

Condensation Polymerisation
Sample Problem
Draw the formation of glycyl-alanyl-valine.