can anyone tell me wat the chemical formula for protein is and how the compound is formed?
2007-10-27 14:38:13 · 3 answers · asked by i am what i am 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
A protein is a long-chain compound (called a macromolecule) made up of *alpha*-amino acids. An amino acid is R-CH2-CH(NH2)-COOH. The COOH's all react with the -NH2's to form amide bonds, -CONH-. It's as if the COOH's were plugs and the -NH2's were sockets on extension cords. You plug all the plugs into all the sockets, and you have a long molecule. The R stands for a side chain, which makes the amino acids different from one another. Some of the side chains have -SH groups. These can form -S-S- links to crosslink protein chains.
2007-10-27 14:47:17 · answer #1 · answered by steve_geo1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are millions of proteins, so there is no single formula for 'protein' - however, proteins are formed from amino acids, and these DO have a basic formula, which is:
A carbon atom bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen, and a functional group known as an 'R' group. The R group is different in each amino acid and is what makes them different.
A protein consists of two or more of these amino acids joined together.
2007-10-27 21:48:48 · answer #2 · answered by attakkdog 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just to set the record straight, and in the interest of scientific accuracy, steve_geo1 was slightly incorrect in his description of an alpha amino acid. It is actually RCH(NH2)COOH, but otherwise, his explanation was quite correct.
2007-10-27 22:23:33 · answer #3 · answered by Simonizer1218 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋