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PROTEINS

This web scavenger hunt is designed to provide a solid foundation about protein structure and function. An in-depth understanding of proteins will assist students in the comprehension of subsequent concepts in Biology / Life Sciences, particularly those related to Cell Biology, Genetics, and Physiology.

Performance Objectives:

• Students will be able to define a protein.
• Students will know the basic composition of proteins and their component parts.
• Students will distinguish between essential and non-essential amino acids and apply this information to nutritional needs.
• Students will explain the factors affecting protein shape and structure.
• Students will be able to categorize the twenty amino acids utilized by living organisms based upon their “R” group side chain.
• Students will describe a variety of protein functions and provide examples of each.
• Students will explain the catalytic functions of enzymes and the nature of specificity.

Content Standards: Biology / Life Sciences - Grades 9-12

• 1-b: Students know enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions without altering the reaction equilibrium and the activities of enzymes depend on the temperature, ionic conditions, and pH of the surroundings.
• 1-h: Students know most macromolecules (polysaccharides, nucleic acids, proteins, lipids) in cells and organisms are synthesized from a small collection of simple precursors.
• 4-e: Students know proteins can differ from one another in the number and sequence of amino acids.
• 4-f: Students know why proteins having different amino acid sequences typically have different shapes and chemical properties.

Content Standards: Chemistry - Grades 9-12

• 8-c: Students know the role a catalyst plays in increasing the reaction rate.
• 10-c: Students know amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

Content Standards: Science Investigation & Experimentation - Grades 9-12

• 1-d: Students will formulate explanations using logic and evidence.
• 1-k: Students will recognize the cumulative nature of scientific evidence.

Web Resources:

YouTube: What Are Proteins?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GuQh5ARHDw&NR=1

Mathemagic.org: Puzzling Proteins – How many could there be?
http://www.mathemagic.org/MOBM/proteins.html

YouTube: What Determines a Protein’s Shape, David?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AJZcJYOTRE&NR=1

Nutrition and Well-Being A to Z: Amino Acids
http://www.faqs.org/nutrition/A-Ap/Amino-Acids.html

YouTube: Protein Structure
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lijQ3a8yUYQ&feature=related

MSN Encarta Encyclopedia: Protein
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761565946/Protein.html

YouTube: What Are Some Common Proteins, David?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKZGWv7wUCQ&feature=related

Protein Crystallography: Protein, Proteins (Examine the following sections: History of protein study, Protein in living organisms, and Classification by protein functions.)
http://proteincrystallography.org/protein/

Biology In Motion – Enzyme Characteristics
http://www.biologyinmotion.com/minilec/wrench.html

Fundamental Question:

Why are proteins essential for life?

Student Research Questions:

1. What are proteins?
2. Where does the word ‘protein’ come from and what does it mean?
3. How many different amino acids are utilized by living organisms?
4. What are the similarities and differences in composition of these amino acids?
5. Categorize the amino acids based on their different side groups.
6. What is the primary difference between essential and non-essential amino acids?
7. The proteins found in animal products generally contain all of the essential amino acids. Given this fact, what would you advise vegetarians about their diet?
8. Examine the various protein structures and describe the bonds that help to create them.
9. What three factors determine the overall shape of a protein?
10. Look through the Protein Crystallography website. According to this source, what are the nine different functions of proteins? Make sure to provide at least one example for each protein function.
11. Explain how these various functions
12. Describe the difference between fibrous and globular proteins.
13. What are enzymes?
14. Explain the catalytic function and specificity characteristic of enzymes.
15. How does denaturation affect protein function?

Web Resources for Further Study and Information:

The University of Utah Genetic Science Learning Center – Learn Genetics – Tour of the Basics: What is a Protein? (Select the “What is a Protein?” option.)
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/begin/tour/

National Institute of General Medical Sciences – The Structures of Life – Proteins
http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/structlife/chapter1.html

Science Daily: Protein's Essential Role In Repairing Damaged Cells Revealed
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090106102907.htm

Questions for Further Study and Information:

1. What is the role of receptor proteins within nerve cells?
2. Why are these receptor proteins important in the transmission of signals within the nerve network?
3. How can simple errors in proteins cause disease?
4. Check out the article posted on sciencedaily.com. This research article addresses two separate functions of the Mre-11 protein in mammals. Discuss the implications of this finding. In your journal, explain how the discovery of this protein’s functions can benefit medical science.

Additional Activities:

1. Using basic classroom materials, construct a protein that has a quaternary structure (such as hemoglobin). Be sure to use various materials (such as staples, paperclips, and binder clips) to express the different bonds.
2. Working in small groups, research one of the diseases caused by an error in proteins. Create a visual representation and present findings to the rest of the class.