EXPLORING PROTEIN STRUCTURE
STUDENT WORKSHEET 1
By completing the set of activities designed for this task, you will revise and learn a number
of the key knowledge areas assessed in VCE Biology and Chemistry. While working on this
activity, prepare a glossary of the terms your teacher selects from the list on the final page of
this worksheet.
1. Discuss the properties of the following fibrous proteins in relation to their structure and
function:
 Collagen

Fibroin

Keratin
2. Some globular proteins, such as actin, can link together to form filaments. Discuss the
importance of this property for cells.
3. Discuss how the microtubules of the cell cytoskeleton form. Relate this structure to the
function of the cell cytoskeleton.
4. Enzymes are globular proteins that catalyse reactions in a highly specific manner.
Discuss how catalase increases the rate of reaction for removing hydrogen peroxide from
cells so it does not reach toxic levels.
5. Insulin, a globular protein, is released from cells in the pancreas in response to elevated
levels of sugar in the blood, generally after eating. Insulin is a hormone, it travels in the
blood to reach other cells and exerts its effect so they will absorb glucose and so liver
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cells will store glucose as glycogen. What is the mechanism of hormone action for this
protein (how does it trigger a response in other cells)?
6. Protein channels help to regulate the movement of specific molecules and charged ions
across the cell membrane. The cell membrane has a hydrophobic (water-hating) interior.
 Would you expect to find the hydrophobic or the hydrophilic parts of a protein
associating with the membrane? Explain.

7.
Would you expect the interior of the protein channel to be hydrophobic or
hydrophilic? Explain.
Explain how antibodies bind to antigens in the humoral immune response. Discuss the
specificity of this action.
8. To make proteins, cells copy the genetic code found on their DNA onto an RNA
molecule. Name the macromolecule that reads the genetic code in RNA and briefly
describe its mechanism of action.
9. What are the building blocks for making proteins? How many of these building blocks are
involved in making proteins (how many blocks in the ‘protein building set’)?
10. Where does your body get the ‘building blocks’ for making proteins?
11. Give the general structure of an amino acid and discuss the R group.
12. Amino acids link together to form a polypeptide. What type of reaction leads to
polypeptide production?
13. Draw the formation of a peptide from two amino acids and indicate the peptide bond.
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14. Using diagrams &/or descriptors, describe the following:
 Primary structure

Secondary structure

Tertiary structure
15. What does the quaternary structure of proteins involve?
16. If a mutation in DNA causes a different amino acid to be joined to a growing protein
chain, will this affect the shape of the protein? Explain.
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TERM
Structural
DEFINITION
TERM
Amino acid
DEFINITION
protein
Fibrous
Residue
Globular
Condensation
protein
reaction
Cell
Peptide bond
cytoskeleton
Microtubules
Polypeptide
Bacteriophage
Primary
structure
Enzyme
Secondary
structure
Hormone
Alpha helix
Protein
Beta sheet
channel
Ion channel
Random coil
Antibody
Tertiary
structure
Epitope
Hydrogen
bond
Antigen
Disulfide
bridge
Gene
Ionic bond
Genetic code
Conformation
Codon
Glycoprotein
Ribosome
Quaternary
structure
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