Collagen web quest

COLLAGEN STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

Proteins are the most diverse class of biological molecules.  Most of your body is made up of proteins.  Eact protein consists of one or more polypeptide chains, in which amino acids are strung together in a specific order.  This amino acid sequence or 'primary structure' is the key to the shape and function of the protein.  Interactions among different amino acids along the length ofthe polypeptide chain cause it to coil, bend, and fold into a complex shape.  Some proteins consist of two or more polypeptide chains.  In many cases, the polypeptide chains form a rounded or globular shape.  Most enzymes are like this, as is the oxygen-carrying hemoglobin molecule.  In other cases, polypeptide chains form long strands or sheets.  These fibrous proteins are often structural componets, such as keratin and collagen.

ACTIVITY

In this activity, you will explore the structure and function of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body.  You will begin by visiting a Protein DataBank site, where structure of collagen is described and illustrated in a "Molecule of the Month" feature.  Next, you will reaseach the effects of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a genetic disorder that affects the structure or number of collagen molecules.

PART 1

Use your browser to go to http://www.rcsb.org

Do a search at the very top of the page for collagen, then click on the Read More link to view the article on collagen.

 Read the information and view the graphics. Use this information to answer the following questions:

1. Describe the primary structure of collagen. What are the major amino acid componets?

The major amino acids are glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. Triple Helix is a type of collagen and is a long rope like structure. They are braided together by three polypeptide chains. Every third amino acid (glycine) is perfectly fitted into the helix. The rest are filled into the helix which is proline and hdroxproline.

2. What role does vitamin C play in collagen formation? What happens when a person does not gen enough vitamin C in his or her diet?

Vitamen C helps create hydroxyproline so it is very important to have it. The body can NOT produce vitamin C so we have to make sure we have it in our diet. When we don`t the production of collagen slows down, this can cause scurvy.

3. Describe the quaternary structure of collagen (the way in wich the polypeptide chains are arranges).

Like braiding your hair, that is how collagens are structured. They come together making long strands side by side. they unite with the heads connection and the tails far apart.

PART 2

Use your browser to go to the Web site of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation at http://www.rcsb.org

On the left side of the home page, click the link "About OI," then find the "Facts About Ol" section.

Read the material in the sections entitled "Facts on Osteogenesis Imperfecta" and "Types of OI". Use what you ahve learned to answer the following questions:

1. What is the main symptom of osteogenesis imperfects? What are some other symptoms that people with OI have?

Some symptoms are that you are very fragile and bones can break or fracture. The loss of hearing can start and joint laxity. Also, curved bones (scoliosis) and having short stature.

2. Type I osteogenesis imperfecta causes fewer problems than the other forms. How does the collagen structure in Type I OI differ from that of the other types?

The collagen structure is very normal which makes it different than every other collagen. Excepy you dont have an average amount of collagen you have less.

Read the handout in the resource section on Bone Structure (opens in Acrobat Reader).

1. Describe the role of collagen in bones. Why do collagen problems lead to bone problems?

Collagen is like the foundation of your bones, making them stronger! Bones have a frame and collagen builds on them making them not as fragile or easy to break.