Question

Choose one of the following terms to match the description given. a. aldohexose n. glycogen b. saliva o. glycoside linkage c. antibody p. hormone d. cellulose q. hydrophobic e. \(\mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) I. inhibition f. cysteine s. ketohexoses g. denaturation t. oxytocin h. disaccharides u. pleated sheet i. disulfide v. polypeptide j. DNA w. polysaccharides k. enzymes x. primary structure 1\. fibrous y. substrate m. globular z. sucrose polymer consisting of many amino acids

Short answer

The correct term for a "polymer consisting of many amino acids" is \(v. polypeptide\).

Step-by-step solution

Understand the description

The provided description is talking about a "polymer consisting of many amino acids." This means we should look for a term related to protein structure, as proteins are composed of amino acids.

Eliminate unrelated terms

We can eliminate all terms that are not related to proteins. Below are the terms we can eliminate and a brief explanation: a. aldohexose (sugar) n. glycogen (polysaccharide) b. saliva (body fluid) o. glycoside linkage (carbohydrate bond) c. antibody (protein, but not a description for a polymer of amino acids) p. hormone (chemical messenger) d. cellulose (polysaccharide) q. hydrophobic (property, not a polymer) e. \(\mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) (chemical formula) I. inhibition (action/process) f. cysteine (amino acid, not a polymer) s. ketohexoses (types of sugar) g. denaturation (protein property) t. oxytocin (hormone) h. disaccharides (sugar) u. pleated sheet (protein structure, not a polymer) i. disulfide (types of bond) v. polypeptide (candidate) j. DNA (nucleic acid) w. polysaccharides (carbohydrates) k. enzymes (proteins, but not a description for a polymer of amino acids) x. primary structure (protein structure, not a polymer) 1. fibrous (protein property) y. substrate (reactant) m. globular (protein property) z. sucrose (sugar)

Identify the correct term

After eliminating all unrelated terms, we are left with one candidate: "v. polypeptide." A polypeptide is a polymer consisting of many amino acids, which matches the description given in the exercise. So, the correct answer is: v. polypeptide

Key concepts

Protein Structure

Proteins are fundamental biomolecules that play crucial roles in nearly all biological processes. They are composed of one or more long chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. The protein structure can be described at four different levels:

• The primary structure is the unique sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
• The secondary structure refers to the local folded structures that form within a polypeptide due to hydrogen bonding. Examples include alpha helices and beta pleated sheets.
• The tertiary structure is the overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide chain, stabilized by various interactions, including disulfide bridges and hydrophobic interactions.
• The quaternary structure occurs when two or more polypeptide chains come together to form a functional protein.

When this structure is disrupted, a process known as denaturation can occur, which may affect the protein's function. To ensure students fully understand protein structure, visuals such as diagrams or models can be incredibly helpful, illustrating how these complex structures fold and interact.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the monomers, or fundamental building blocks, of proteins. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group (\( -NH_2 \)), a carboxyl group (\( -COOH \)), a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (represented as \( -R \)).

Variety of Amino Acids

There are twenty standard amino acids that are encoded directly by the universal genetic code, each with distinctive side chains that confer different chemical properties to the amino acid:

• Nonpolar, aliphatic residues
• Polar, uncharged residues
• Aromatic residues
• Positively charged residues
• Negatively charged residues

Essential Amino Acids

The human body requires amino acids to synthesize proteins and other important molecules. Of the twenty standard amino acids, nine are considered essential as they cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained from the diet.
To enhance the learning experience, incorporating interactive elements like flashcards or quizzes focusing on the structure and classification of amino acids can solidify students' understanding and recognition of these molecules.

Polymer of Amino Acids

A polypeptide is a polymer composed of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds, which are formed through a dehydration synthesis reaction between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another. This polymerization results in a chain with a repeating backbone of \( -N-C-C- \) elements.

Peptide Bond Formation

During the formation of a peptide bond, a molecule of water is released. This condensation reaction is catalyzed by enzymes and is a fundamental process for the synthesis of proteins.

Functional Significance

Polypeptides can range from a few amino acids long (oligopeptides) to complex structures with thousands of residues (proteins). The sequence and length of amino acids in a polypeptide determine the protein's properties and its eventual role in bodily functions. As proteins, polypeptides perform a variety of functions, including catalytic (enzymes), structural (collagen), transport (hemoglobin), and regulatory (hormones) roles within organisms.
In a classroom or online setting, real-life examples and applications of polypeptides, like the role of insulin in glucose metabolism, can illustrate the concept effectively. Animations showing the process of peptide bond formation can also be valuable for visual learners in understanding the dynamic nature of polymers of amino acids.