NZQA registered unit standard
26490 version 2
Page 1 of 3
Title
Demonstrate knowledge of the structure, properties, and functions of
amino acids and proteins
Level
5
Credits
4
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the
chemical structure and properties of amino acids; describe the
structure and functions of peptides and proteins; and explain
the physical and chemical properties of proteins.
Classification
Science > Biochemistry
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
None.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the chemical structure and properties of amino acids.
Evidence requirements
1.1
An L-amino acid is described using a diagram in relation to its structure.
1.2
The system for classifying amino acids in relation to proteins is described.
1.3
Acid-base dissociation characteristics of amino acids are described in relation
their structure.
Range
1.4
characteristics include – isoelectric point, amphoteric, zwitterions.
Procedures for qualitative and quantitative analysis are described for amino
acids.
Range
ninhydrin, fluorometric.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26490 version 2
Page 2 of 3
Outcome 2
Describe the structure and functions of peptides and proteins.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Protein structure is described in terms of levels of organisation.
Range
2.2
primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary.
Physiological functions of peptides and proteins are described in relation to their
structure.
Outcome 3
Explain the physical and chemical properties of proteins.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Factors affecting protein solubility are explained in terms of their structure.
Range
3.2
Denaturation and its causes are explained in terms of protein structure.
Range
3.3
temperature, solvent, salt concentration, agitation, pH.
Destructive and non-destructive methods are described in relation to protein
determination.
Range
3.5
temperature, pH, alcohol, surfactants, salts.
Precipitation and its causes are explained in terms of protein structure.
Range
3.4
pH, ionic strength, temperature.
two of – biuret, Lowry, UV-absorption, Bradford dye binding,
turbidometry.
A method for the determination of amino acid composition is described in
relation to proteins.
Replacement information
This unit standard replaced unit standard 8055.
Planned review date
31 December 2018
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
26490 version 2
Page 3 of 3
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
17 September 2010
N/A
Rollover
2
27 January 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0152
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016