Question

The monomers that make up proteins are called _________. a. nucleotides b. disaccharides c. amino acids d. chaperones

Short answer

The monomers that make up proteins are called \( \boxed{\text{c. amino acids}} \).

Step-by-step solution

Refresh knowledge about Protein Structure

Protiens are large, complex molecules that play a vital role in the human body. They are made up of smaller units called monomers, which are linked together in a process called polymerization. The monomers that make up proteins are of particular interest here.

Evaluate each answer choice

Evaluate each answer option to see which one correctly names the monomers that make up proteins: a. Nucleotides - These are the monomers that make up nucleic acids like DNA and RNA, not proteins. b. Disaccharides - These are carbohydrates formed by the combination of two simple sugars (monosaccharides), not protein building blocks. c. Amino acids - The correct answer. There are 20 different amino acids that act as the monomers for building proteins, and they are joined together through peptide bonds. d. Chaperones - These are proteins that assist in the proper folding of other proteins, but are not the monomers that make up proteins.

Confirm the correct answer

Based on the evaluation of answer choices, option c. Amino acids is the correct answer because amino acids are the monomers that make up proteins.

Key concepts

Protein Structure

Proteins are essential biomolecules found throughout living organisms. They are integral to many biological processes and serve a variety of functions, such as catalyzing reactions and providing structural support. The structure of proteins is hierarchical and can be understood through four levels:

• Primary Structure: This is the simple sequence of amino acids linked by peptide bonds. The order of these amino acids determines the protein's unique characteristics.
• Secondary Structure: This level includes localized folding into structures like alpha helices and beta-pleated sheets, which are stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
• Tertiary Structure: This involves the overall three-dimensional shape of a protein, formed by interactions like hydrophobic interactions, disulfide bridges, and ionic bonds.
• Quaternary Structure: Some proteins are made of multiple polypeptide chains. These form a more complex structure and can function as a single unit.

Understanding these structural levels helps us comprehend how proteins function and interact within the body.

Monomers

Monomers are the basic building blocks of larger biomolecules. In the context of proteins, monomers refer to amino acids. Amino acids are small organic compounds characterized by:

• A central carbon atom, known as the alpha carbon.
• Attached to the alpha carbon, you have an amine group (-\(\text{NH}_2\)), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable R group (side chain).

The R group is what distinguishes one amino acid from another, and there are 20 standard amino acids present in proteins, each with a different R group. These monomers can link in various sequences to form proteins with diverse functions in biological systems. Understanding amino acids as monomers provides insights into their role in protein synthesis and how changes in their sequence can affect protein function.

Peptide Bonds

Peptide bonds are a specific type of covalent bond crucial for forming protein structures. They occur between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another, releasing a molecule of water in a dehydration synthesis reaction. This bond is depicted by the general formula:\[\text{R}_1−\text{CONH}−\text{R}_2\]where \(\text{R}_1\) and \(\text{R}_2\) are different R groups from amino acids.
Creating peptide bonds is a step-by-step process:

• Two amino acids align so that the carboxyl group of one is near the amino group of the other.
• During the bond formation, a water molecule is formed and released.
• This creates a new covalent bond — the peptide bond.

The formation of peptide bonds links amino acids into polypeptides, leading to the creation of proteins. Understanding this process is fundamental to grasping how proteins are synthesized and how they achieve their various roles in living organisms.