Page 1: Fundamental Protein Structure and Composition

This page introduces the basic building blocks of proteins and their structural components, focusing on Understanding amino acids and protein structures in Campbell's Biology. The text explains how proteins are formed from amino acids and details the various types of R-groups that contribute to protein diversity.

Definition: Proteins are biologically functional molecules consisting of one or more polypeptides folded into specific three-dimensional structures, containing elements C, H, O, N, and S.

Vocabulary: Amino acids are the monomers of proteins, featuring a backbone with an amino group, carboxyl group, and an R-group (side chain).

Example: A dipeptide forms when two amino acids join through a peptide bond, demonstrating the basic principle of protein formation.

Highlight: R-groups can be classified as nonpolar (hydrophobic) or polar (hydrophilic), with further subdivisions into acidic and basic groups, determining protein properties.