Life Sciences

Grade 10
Topic: The chemistry of life
Sub-topic: Organic Molecules: Proteins
Lesson 26

Presenter: Ntombi Dladla

 PROTEINS
 Proteins are large molecules made up of the elements carbon, hydrogen,
oxygen and nitrogen.
 They may also contain other elements such as sulphur, phosphorus and
iron.
 Protein is a macronutrient found in all types of animal and plant
foods.
 The building blocks or monomers of proteins are called amino acids.
 Changes in the pH and temperature can change the structure of the
protein. When this happens, we say that the protein is denatured.
 If a protein is denatured it cannot function.
 STRUCTURE OF A PROTEIN
➢ There are only 20 different types of amino acids commonly found in living
organisms
 The sequence and type of amino acids determine the type of protein
 The bond formed between two amino acids is called a peptide bond
 Dipeptide: Two amino acids linked by a peptide bond
 Tripeptide: Three amino acids linked by peptides bonds
 Polypeptide: Long chain of amino acids linked by peptide bonds
 Protein: 50+ Amino acids linked by peptide bonds
STRUCTURE OF A PROTEIN
FOOD RICH IN PROTEINS
 FUNCTIONS OF PROTEINS
➢ Proteins store energy.
➢ Your body uses amino acids to build and repair muscles and bones.
➢ They form cell components. This means that they make up parts of
the cell like the cell membrane.
➢ They repair and maintain skin cells.
➢ Enzymes and hormones are protein in nature.
PROTEIN-DEFICIENCY DISEASE
 TEST FOR PROTEINS
Biuret reagent, a blue solution, is used to test for protein.

A deep purple colour is a positive indication of the

presence of protein in a solution.
The darker the solution the more protein is present.
 TEST FOR PROTEINS (Method)
Test for protein using the Biuret test
1. Using the dropper or pipette, add a few drops of the Biuret solution to the
test-tube containing albumin.
2. Using the dropper, add a few drops of the Biuret solution to the test-tube
containing sugar water.
3. Using the dropper, add a few drops of the Biuret solution to the test-tube
containing samples of your food to be tested.
4. Observe any colour changes.
Results:
TEST FOR PROTEIN WITHOUT BIURET REAGENT
Activities
 ACTIVITY 1
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.
Choose the correct answer and write only the letter (A to D) next to the
question number.
1. The monomer of proteins are…
A. nucleotides.
B. enzymes.
C. amino acids.
AA D. monosaccharides.
 ACTIVITY 1

2. Enzymes are ______ in nature.

A. lipids
B. carbohydrates
C. proteins
D. vitamins AA
 ACTIVITY 2

2.1 What are the monomers of proteins? (1)

2.2 Name the protein-deficiency disease. (1)

2.3 What type of bond link individual amino acids together? (1)
 ACTIVITY 3
Calculating RDA for Protein

The average American man weighs 88.77 kg, while the average American woman weighs

75.21 kg .

To find out how much protein they should be consuming, use the RDA formula:

(0.8 gram of protein) x (weight in kilograms)

3.1 Calculate the RDA for both

(a) men and (a) 0.8 x 88.77 = 71 grams.

(b) women (b) 0.8 x 75.21 = 60.1 grams.
 ACTIVITY 4
A learner carried out four different food tests to investigate the composition of onions, potatoes
and peanuts. The results are recorded in the table below.
From the results identify the
CHEMICAL Onions Potatoes Peanuts type of organic food
REAGENT compound contained in
each
Iodine solution - + - KEY: of the following:
+ = Positive
Benedict’s/Fehling’s + - - - = Negative 4.1 Onions Glucose
solution 4.2 Potato Starch
Ethanol and water 4.3 Peanuts Proteins
- - +
Biuret solution - + +
 ACTIVITY 5
State TWO precautions that need to be considered when conducting food
tests .

Do not heat test tubes over direct flame

Use gloves when using Biuret/ Iodine solution as they
are poisonous
 ACTIVITY 6
6.1 What is the monomer of protein?

6.2 State TWO functions of protein.

6.3 Calculate how much protein is contained in

three sausages. Show ALL working.

6.1 Amino Acids

6.2 - They store energy
- They form many parts of the cell.
- Enzymes facilitate reactions
6.3 7.8g x 3 = 23.4g
THANK YOU