Protein Structure and Function

📋 Course Outline

1. Biomacromolecules
2. Protein Polymers
3. Protein Functional Diversity
4. Microtubules and Spindle Fibres
5. Motor Proteins and Vesicle Transport
6. Histones and DNA Packaging
7. Hormones and Signaling Proteins
8. Immune System Proteins
9. Enzymes and Catalysis
10. Proteome and Protein Diversity
11. Amino Acid Structure and Polymerization
12. Protein Secondary Structures

📖 1. Biomacromolecules

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Biomacromolecule: Large organic molecules found in organisms, essential for structure and function.
• Polymer: A large molecule composed of repeating smaller units called monomers.
• Protein: A biomacromolecule made of amino acids, responsible for diverse functions such as catalysis, transport, and structural support.
• Amino Acid: The building block of proteins, containing an amino group (NH₂), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable R group attached to a central alpha carbon.
• Peptide Bond: Covalent bond formed between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another during polymerization.
• Protein Structure Levels: Primary (sequence), secondary (local folding), tertiary (3D shape), quaternary (assembly of multiple polypeptides).

📝 Essential Points