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The linear sequence of amino acids is referred to as the primary level of protei

ID: 87609 • Letter: T

Question

The linear sequence of amino acids is referred to as the primary level of protein structure. However, the primary sequence affects all other aspects of protein structure.

a. Explain how an amino acid change outside of the active site of a particular enzyme could affect the function of that enzyme. (2pts)

b. Explain how that same amino acid change could have no affect on the function of the enzyme. (2pts)

c. Imagine a protein in which a cysteine is converted to a serine. How would this mutation affect the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure? (3pts)

Explanation / Answer

Answer:

a. Explain how an amino acid change outside of the active site of a particular enzyme could affect the function of that enzyme.

b. Explain how that same amino acid change could have no affect on the function of the enzyme.

c. Imagine a protein in which a cysteine is converted to a serine. How would this mutation affect the secondary, tertiary and quaternary structure?

Cysteine is a critical amino acid in the structure of the protein due to the presence of reactive sulfhydryl group at its side chain. Cysteine can be easily oxidized to its dimeric form (cystine) that contains a disulfide bridge between two cysteine molecules.