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Chapter 2: Problem 11

What is the subunit of a protein, and how do two subunits join to form a peptide bond? (pages \(34-35\) )

Short Answer

Expert verified
The subunit of a protein is an amino acid, which consists of a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a unique side chain (R group). Peptide bond formation occurs between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another through a condensation reaction, which involves the loss of a water molecule. The resulting covalent bond is called a peptide bond (-C(=O)NH-), and it links amino acids together to form a polypeptide chain, the primary structure of a protein.

Step by step solution

01

Define the subunit of a protein.

The subunit of a protein is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, which are joined together through peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains.
02

Understand the structure of an amino acid.

An amino acid consists of a central carbon atom (called the alpha carbon) covalently bonded to four different groups: an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a side chain (R group), which is unique to each amino acid. The amino and carboxyl groups of amino acids are responsible for forming peptide bonds.
03

Describe the process of peptide bond formation.

The peptide bond formation occurs between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino acid. The process, known as a condensation reaction, involves the loss of a water molecule (H2O). The nitrogen atom of the amino group (-NH2) forms a covalent bond with the carbon atom of the carboxyl group (-COOH) of the adjacent amino acid, resulting in the peptide bond (-C(=O)NH-).
04

Summarize the peptide bond formation between two amino acid subunits.

In summary, the subunit of a protein is an amino acid. Two amino acids can join together through a peptide bond, which is formed by the condensation reaction between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino acid. This peptide bond formation leads to the creation of a polypeptide chain, which is the primary structure of a protein.

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