Organic chemistry homework

Name: _____________________________

CHM 332: Fall 2020

Homework/Quiz #3

1. Describe the quaternary structure of hemoglobin.

2. Describe in your own words the Bohr Effect.

3. SDS-PAGE, a technique of protein separation is described as follows: SDS is a detergent

which denatures the quaternary, tertiary. and secondary structure of a protein. It also coats the

protein with a very large negative charge. This electrostatic repulsion pushes the protein in a single

long rod shape, allowing the gel to sort various proteins on the basis of molecular weight alone.

A. What does it mean for a protein to be denatured?

B. Native-PAGE is performed without exposing the protein to SDS (or other denaturing

agents) the separation profile will differ significantly from the denaturing PAGE described

above. What factors will affect separation of proteins in the native-PAGE technique?

C. Why must separation of proteins with native-PAGE be carried out in alkaline buffers?