Polymers have different structures. They also have different functions. Describe how the structures of different polymers relate to their function? Polymers a large molecules made up of a chain of smaller molecules, known as monomers. The monomers that a polymer is made up of decide its structure and therefore it's function. These monomers are linked and coiled in a very specific manor giving the polymer a specific tertiary structure (an extensively coiled and linked polymer chain caused as a result of the formation of more bonds forming). This tertiary structure is crucial to the function of a polymer as it denotes the necessary shape of the complementary molecule. This is easier explained through an example. An example of a …show more content…
Haemoglobin is just one of the many possible forms and functions of a protein polymer. They all have different structures, which makes them specialised to carry out a particular function. For example enzymes. They are roughly spherical in shape due to the tight folding of the polypeptide chains. Enzymes play important roles in most biological processes, in particular metabolism and synthesis. The tertiary structure of an enzyme is of particular importance to its function and a slight change in the chain sequence and therefore it's shape can result in it becoming inactive. Enzymes work by combining with a substrate to form an enzyme-substrate complex, the substrate is then broken down and released. Each enzyme has a particular substrate that is can breakdown, this will be the substrate with the complimentary structure to that of the active site of the enzyme. For example starch is only broken down by amylase. As the shape of the active site depends on the shape of the polymer shape so does the over all function of the enzyme. Antibodies are involved in the immune response. They're made up of two light polypeptide chains and two heavy polypeptide chains bonded together. Antibodies have a variable region which acts in a similar way to the active site of an enzyme. Each antibody has a variable region that is the complementary shape for a particular antigen and
a. Antibodies allow scientists to target and identify specific disease agents because they bind to antigens to counteract them. The more antigens you have, the more antibodies you have, the more the of the virus/bacteria that there is in you.
A monomer is a compound that can react with at least two other monomers and form polymers (Monomer). Polymers are very large molecules that are made up of repeating monomers. Polymers can be formed into linear and nonlinear structures. Most polymers consist of two or more different types of monomers (Polymer).
When foreign antigens enter the body, chemical signals are dispatched to different parts of the immune system and send it into action. B lymphocytes produce the antigen specific antibodies. The antibodies will then attach to the antigen/virus and T lymphocytes will attack the antigen that the antibody has bound itself to. Once the antigen has been eliminated phagocytes, which are cells that absorb bacteria and other small particles/substances, will come through and absorb the remains of the antigen/infection. In a forensic setting antibodies can also be used to identify an unknown blood/protein. The purpose of this experiment is to use the process of immunoprecipitation to identify an unknown host protein.
They are known to be the workhorses of the body cell that carries out diverse catalytic and structural roles into building the structures of all living organisms [15]. The basic structure of protein is a chain of amino acids that supplies energy to a body. There are 20 different naturally occurring amino acids that make all types of protein. Proteins come in various sizes and shapes. Some comes in a thread-like shape known as fibrous proteins and they tend to have structural or mechanical roles. Others come in spherical shapes, known as the globular proteins [16]. These spherical proteins function as enzymes, transport proteins, or antibodies. The key function of protein is based on its ability to recognize and bind specific ally to molecules, it also need to be in the right shape in other to function properly [15]. The primary structure of proteins is a linear sequence of amino acids encoded by DNA. This sequence controls how protein folds into three dimensional structure, the stability of its resulting structure [17], and functions. It is important to add that protein is an important building block of bones, skin, blood and
When foreign invaders such as bacteria or viruses enter the body, immune cells called lymphocytes respond by producing antibodies, which are protein molecules. These antibodies fight the invaders known as an antigen and protect against further infection. A primary immune response happens the first time a person is exposed to an antigen. This response is slow and takes several weeks to occur, memory cells
Haemoglobin is formed from heme-globin, each subunit of heme is a globular protein which has embedded heme group. Each heme group contains iron particles and this is responsible for binding oxygen. Haemoglobin is a globular protein molecule made up of four polypeptide chains coiled into a helix shape. Oxygen binding at the four heme sites in
Proteins can be described according to their large range of functions. The first function is antibodies. Proteins formed antibodies that help prevent infection or disease in the body. They often work in conjunction with the other immune system cells. For example, these antibodies identify and then surround antigens in order to keep them contained until they can be destroyed by white blood cells. The next function is enzymes. Enzymes carry almost thousands of chemical reactions that place in the cells. They assist with the formation of new molecules by reading the genetic information of the DNA. The third function is transport of molecules. This is a major element in the transport of specific molecules. For example, the haemoglobin is a protein
Aka. Immunoglobulin is a large Y-shaped protein. Made by the immune system to recognize and fight against bacteria, viruses, and other antigens. Antibodies attach themselves to these substances and neutralize or get rid them. Antibodies are made specifically by special white blood cells - B cells.
The antibodies are crucial because the invading virus may outnumber the immune system cells. The antibodies hold on tight to the foreign antigen. The antibodies then send a signal to other macrophages and other immune system cells to gather and destroy the antibody and whatever it’s
Polymers are large molecules with large molar masses and are composed of many repeating subunits. Also referred to as macromolecules, polymers both synthetic and natural have a broad range of properties which play a vital role in everyday life. Polymers range from naturally occurring biopolymers such as DNA, proteins, cellulose and starches to synthetic plastics including polystyrene and polyethylene (Shakhashiri). Polymers are synthesised using a chemical process known as polymerisation, where individual molecules called monomers are reacted to form chains or three dimensional networks.
Humoral immunity helps the body protect itself, the humoral immune response is by antibody molecules that are secreted by plasma cells. They produced antibodies that target foreign material in the blood stream that is seen as potentially dangerous, marking it for destruction. B-lymphocytes play a major role humoral immunity, they help the immune system in the fight against infections because of antigen presenting cells. They are the class of immune cells that synthesize antibodies and are responsible for humoral immunity. When the antibodies react with millions of potential antigens, the immune system does not have full capacity to create antibodies that react with millions of antigens.
Antigens are substances that provoke an immune response (they're the ultimate target for the immune system). Antibodies are simply proteins that are secreted as a result of the antigen provoked immune response. In short, antigens cause the disease and
Immunoglobulins are also known as antibodies and they are glycoproteins that are produced by plasma cells. These antibodies are the line of defence against foreign particles such as viruses and bacteria in our human bodies. This is why so much research has been conducted to gain more understanding and knowledge on this protein. The more we know the behavior, structure and function of this protein, the more doors will be open in the field of medicine in fighting off these foreign particles. The interesting aspect of immunoglobulins is that they specifically bind to specific antigens to fight them off such as a specific bacteria or virus, so the specificity of these proteins is very interesting and complex
A polymer is a large molecule consisting of many smaller subunits known as monomers. There are different types of polymers and many uses for all of them. Even though people may not realize it polymers play an essential role in our everyday life. For polymers range from plastics, PVC, and Styrofoam to key structures in the human body like DNA and proteins which are key components to the human body that makes it possible for each of us to live and be unique. So with out polymers in our body we would be dead, and with out them in our society it would be a drastically changed for the worse to say the least
Vaccines interact with three main cell types after an infection: macrophages, T lymphocytes, and B lymphocytes/antibodies (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). The macrophages are the white blood cells that attack and consume the pathogen (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). They leave behind parts of the pathogen, which are known as antigens (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). The when the body comes in contact with the antigen, it recognizes that it is foreign body and that it is dangerous, it signals a response to attack it (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). The antibodies are the cell that attack the antigen left by the macrophages (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). The antibodies are produced by B lymphocytes, and the B lymphocytes are a type of defensive white blood cell (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). The T lymphocytes are another type of defensive white blood cell (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). They attack cells that have already been infected with a pathogen (Understanding How Vaccines Work, 2013). Without these three main cell types, a person would have no chance to fight off an