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Human insulin is a macromolecule composed of two amino acid chains - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2012 - Paper 1
Question 3
Human insulin is a macromolecule composed of two amino acid chains. The chains are connected by disulfide bonds. a. To what group of macromolecules does insulin bel... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Human insulin is a macromolecule composed of two amino acid chains - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 3 - 2012 - Paper 1
Step 1
a. To what group of macromolecules does insulin belong?
Answer
Insulin belongs to the group of macromolecules known as proteins, specifically classified as polypeptides. Proteins are composed of amino acid chains, which is the case for insulin, making it a vital biochemical component in biological systems.
Step 2
b. What is meant by the term ‘primary structure’ of the insulin macromolecule?
Answer
The term ‘primary structure’ refers to the specific sequence of amino acids in the insulin polypeptide chains. This sequence determines the overall structure and function of the protein. In insulin, the primary structure consists of two chains that are connected by disulfide bonds, essential for its biological activity.
Step 3
c. If supplies of human insulin were not available, which one of the other three animals listed in the table would be the best source of insulin? Explain your reason for choosing this particular animal.
Answer
Animal: Pig
Explanation: The pig insulin has the closest amino acid sequence to human insulin compared to cow and sheep insulin. Specifically, the amino acid sequence of the pig's alpha chain is nearly identical to that of humans, making it more likely to produce a similar shape and function. This similarity would allow pig insulin to effectively mimic human insulin in therapeutic applications.