Accelerated Nutrition 2010/2011
Protein Unit Study Guide/Review Sheets
If you have questions, make sure to ask them. Come after school for extra help.
Review: these topics are not completely inclusive of test questions. You must be able to synthesize
responses using this information and also to apply this information in different ways or contexts.
GENERAL PROTEIN STRUCTURE and AMINO ACID CLASSIFICATION:
You must be able to:
1. List the elements which compose amino acids
2. Understand that proteins in living organisms are composed of different combinations of 20
standard amino acids
3. Describe, label, and/or identify the basic structure of amino acids (amino, carboxyl/acid
group, alpha carbon, R group/variant);
4. Explain how amino acids are differentiated from one another
5. Explain how proteins are differentiated from other nutrients, such as carbohydrates
6. Compare essential (9) and non-essential (11) amino acids
7. Describe peptide bonds and between what parts of adjacent amino acids they occur
8. Identify peptide bonds in protein structures
9. Understand, describe, and compare and contrast the synthesis (dehydration – loss of water)
and break down (hydrolysis – addition of water) of peptide bonds/proteins
10. Understand that proteins can have anywhere from 50-thousands of amino acids in its
sequence
11. Understand that proteins can only have the physical and chemical characteristics of the amino
acids which compose them
DIETARY CLASSIFICATION and FOOD SOURCES
You must be able to:
12. Explain what classifies a protein as complete
a. List food sources of complete proteins
13. Explain what classifies a protein as incomplete
b. List food sources of incomplete proteins.
PROTEIN NEEDS
You must be able to:
14. Describe factors which are involved in determining protein needs: height, weight, age, activity
level
15. Understand that proteins are not used for energy unless under conditions of starvation
(consider how many other vital functions they fulfill)
16. Explain the consequences of protein deficiency *Notes
17. Explain the consequences of excess protein consumption *Notes
1
QUALITATIVE TESTING FOR AMINO ACIDS AND PROTEINS
You must be able to:
18. Identify which qualitative tests a particular protein or amino acid would test positive for by
understanding each the qualitative tests and being able to recognize specific elements,
functional groups, and/or peptide bonds in amino acid and protein structures
19. Understand how the Biuret test works
20. Understand how the lead acetate test works
21. Relate/explain solubility to amino acid/protein functions in the body
LEVELS OF PROTEIN STRUCTURE: [PROTEIN FOLDING]
You must be able to:
22. Define, describe, explain primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structure
23. Explain the relationships between levels
24. Understand that the structure of a protein (tertiary) is determined by the physical and
chemical characteristics of the amino acids which compose them (primary sequence)
25. Describe the type of bonding that occurs in secondary structure
26. Compare and contrast the two types of secondary structure (repetitive patterns)
27. Understand that all biologically active proteins have a tertiary level – the final, complete,
geometric shape of protein
28. Describe the effect of polarity of side chains at tertiary structure
29. Describe the 3 types of bonding patterns that occur in tertiary structure and what part of the
protein is involved
30. Compare and contrast the two types of tertiary structure (fibrous and globular) and their
properties
31. Understand not all proteins have quaternary structure
PROTEIN FUNCTION
You must be able to:
32. Understand that proteins are the most structurally complex, and consequently, functionally
sophisticated compounds in the body
33. Explain the relationship between structure and function for each of the following: buffers,
antibodies, hormones, enzymes, albumins & water balance in tissues, transport proteins, and
proteins which form physical structures of the body (hair, nails)
34. Recognize/identify examples of structure/function relationships of buffers, antibodies,
hormones, enzymes, albumins & water balance in tissues, transport/membrane proteins, and
proteins which form physical structures of the body (hair, nails)
Additional Practice:
1. Explain the relationship between primary and tertiary structure.
2. Explain the consequences of protein deficiency. Give two specific relationships between
deficiency and health consequence.
3. Explain the relationship between structure and function for any three protein functions.
2