CHEM 29402 Chapter Notes - Chapter 21: Ferritin, Hemoglobin, Hydrophile
17 Apr 2016
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Document Summary
Fibrous proteins provide structural integrity and strength for many types of tissue. It is the main component of muscle, hair, and cartilage. Globular proteins transport and store oxygen and nutrients. These are the catalysts for many reactions. The building blocks of proteins are the alpha-amino acids. Nonpolar side chains contain mostly carbon and hydrogen atoms, polar side chains contain nitrogen and oxygen atoms. This difference is important because polar sides are hydrophilic and the non-polar are hydrophobic. The order of sequence of amino acids in the protein chain is called the primary structure. The secondary structure of proteins is the arrangement in space of the chain of the long molecule. One common type of secondary structure is the alpha-helix. The spiral structure gives the protein its elasticity. Another type of structure is the pleated sheet. This structure is usually found in silk and muscle fibers. The overall shape of the protein is called its tertiary structure.
