Natural products: proteins Intermediate 2 Chemistry Unit 2(e)
Key questions What is a protein? Why are they important to life?
Importance to life The major structural materials of animal tissue Role in the regulation of biochemical processes enzymes hormones
Building blocks
Linking amino acids The monomers are amino acids With two functional groups per molecule, they form polymers Specifically, they are condensation polymers The proteins formed (polypeptides) contain the amide link (peptide link)
Breaking down proteins Occurs during digestion Is catalysed by enzymes Is a hydrolysis reaction