CHY 204 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Sickle-Cell Disease, Alpha Helix, Dissociation Constant

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Chemistry
• Course: CHY 204
• Professor: Mario Estable

Document Summary

Proteins are dynamic molecules whose functions depend on interactions b/w molecules which are affected in physiologically important ways by changes in protein conformations. The functions of many proteins involve the reversible binding of other molecules; a ligand is a molecule bound reversibly to a protein which can be any molecule incl another pro. A binding site is the site on the pro where the ligand binds which is complementary to the ligand in size, shape, charge & hydrophobic/hydrophilic character. Proteins are flexible; changes in conformation may be subtle, reflecting molec vibrations. & small movements of aa residues throughout the pro, ie it breathes. Induced fit is the structural adaptation that occurs b/w pro & ligand to permit tighter binding. Enzymes catalyze reactions; substrates are molecules acted upon by an enzyme, ie an enzyme"s ligand. The catalyctic or active site is the ligand binding site for a substrate on an enzyme.