Pattern Matching Online Version Shortenend
Pattern Matching Online Version Shortenend
Pattern Matching Online Version Shortenend
Start by filling in the table, writing “Always,” “Sometimes,” or “Never” in each box.
Always Never
Proteins Always
Always Always Sometimes
Figure 1 shows a “generic” amino acid, or one that doesn’t have a side chain, or “R group.” Two amino
acids are joined by dehydration synthesis reactions to form a dipeptide; when three or more amino acids
are joined, they are referred to as a polypeptide. Once a polypeptide has folded into a functional
conformation (shape) it is referred to as a protein. When amino acids are joined together, the “-N-C-C-“ in
the center of the molecule is known as its backbone and is a defining feature of amino acids. A typical
protein chain may contain 150 – 1000 or more amino acids. There are 20 common amino acids that are
used to build protein molecules. Cells string amino acids together end-to-end as shown in Figure 2.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are also versatile molecules that store energy and provide structure to organisms. You may have
heard of simple carbohydrates, sugar, or complex carbohydrates, such a fiber. Sugars occur as ring structures.
There are monosaccharides (single rings), disaccharides (double rings), and larger structures called polysaccharides.
In solution, single rings can dynamically change from straight chains to rings and back to straight chains. A straight
chain sugar is shown below. Notice that every carbon has an oxygen atom attached to it.
Lipids vary widely in both form and function and include things like waxes and pigments. In
this activity we’ll focus on fats, phospholipids, and steroids.
First, ensure you have all of the lipid cards – there are 8 of them. Look for molecules that
have long chains or rings of hydrocarbons.
Lipids