(From https://www.open.edu/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/biology/proteins/content-section-1.1)
Background
Molecule
- Group of 2+ atoms
- Held together by chemical bonds
- Neutral electrical charge
Chemical compound
- Substance made of many identical molecules
- Where molecules use atoms from 2+ elements
Chemical formula
The elements and quantities in a compound('s) molecule
Functional group
- a group of atoms in a molecule
- with independant chemical properties
Side chain
Chemical group attached to the "main chain" of a molecule
Amino acid
- compound
- containing functional groups:
- amino (-NH2)
- carboxyl (-COOH)
- + side chain specific to each amino acid
How many naturally occurring amino acids are known?
~500
How many types of amino acid appear in the genetic code?
20
Peptide
molecule made of chain of ~2-50 amino acids
Polypeptide
molecule made of chain of ~50 amino acids
Residues
the amino acids within a chain
Proteins
Protein
molecule made of ~50+ amino acids, in 1+ chains
Primary protein structure
Sequence of amino acid residues
Secondary protein structure
3D form of local segments
Tertiary protein structure
Global 3D form ➡️ determines the protein's functions