Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

4. Biomolecules

Proteins

General Biology

4. Biomolecules

Proteins

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1:43 minutes

Problem 16

Textbook Question

How can a cell make many different kinds of proteins out of only 20 amino acids?
Of the myriad possibilities, how does the cell 'know' which proteins to make?

Verified step by step guidance

Understand that proteins are made up of chains of amino acids, and the sequence of these amino acids determines the protein's structure and function. The 20 amino acids can be arranged in countless combinations to create a vast diversity of proteins.

Recognize that the instructions for making proteins are encoded in the cell's DNA. Genes, which are specific sequences of DNA, contain the information needed to assemble amino acids in the correct order to form a protein.

Learn about the process of transcription, where a gene's DNA sequence is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA serves as a temporary template that carries the genetic instructions from the nucleus to the ribosome, where proteins are synthesized.

Explore the process of translation, where the ribosome reads the mRNA sequence in sets of three nucleotides called codons. Each codon corresponds to a specific amino acid, and transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules bring the appropriate amino acids to the ribosome based on the codon sequence.

Understand that the cell 'knows' which proteins to make based on regulatory mechanisms. These include signals from the environment, cell-to-cell communication, and regulatory proteins that control gene expression, ensuring that the right proteins are produced at the right time and in the right amounts.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Genetic Code

The genetic code is a set of rules that defines how the sequence of nucleotides in DNA corresponds to the sequence of amino acids in proteins. It consists of codons, which are three-nucleotide sequences that specify particular amino acids. This code allows cells to translate genetic information into functional proteins, enabling the diversity of protein structures and functions from a limited set of amino acids.

Transcription and Translation

Transcription is the process by which the information in a gene's DNA is copied into messenger RNA (mRNA). This mRNA then undergoes translation, where ribosomes read the mRNA sequence and assemble the corresponding amino acids into a polypeptide chain, forming a protein. These processes are crucial for determining which proteins are synthesized in response to cellular needs and environmental signals.

Gene Regulation

Gene regulation refers to the mechanisms that control the expression of genes, determining when and how much of a protein is produced. This regulation can occur at various levels, including transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and translational control. By responding to internal and external cues, cells can selectively express certain genes, allowing them to produce specific proteins as needed for various functions and adaptations.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Which structural level of a protein would be least affected by a disruption in hydrogen bonding?

a. Primary structure

b. Secondary structure

c. Tertiary structure

d. Quaternary structure

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Textbook Question

Make a concept map that relates the four levels of protein structure and shows how they can contribute to the formation of hemoglobin. Your map should include the following boxed terms: Primary structure, Secondary structure, Tertiary structure, Quaternary structure, Amino acid sequence, R-groups, αα-helices, and ββ-pleated sheets.

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Textbook Question

Most proteins are soluble in the aqueous environment of a cell. Knowing that, where in the overall three-dimensional shape of a protein would you expect to find amino acids with hydrophobic R groups?

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Textbook Question

What are the two types of secondary structures found in polypeptides, and what maintains them?

What stabilizes the tertiary structure of a polypeptide?

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Textbook Question