What Effect, If Any, Can the Substitution of One Amino

question 122

Essay

What effect, if any, can the substitution of one amino acid for another in a protein have on the protein's function? For example, what if histidine were substituted for phenylalanine at a physiological pH of 7.4? What major difference do you see in their R groups?

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Definitions:

Per-Worker Production Function

A graphical representation that shows the relationship between the amount of output produced per worker and the amount of capital available per worker.

Shape

The external form or appearance of an object, defined by its outline or surface configuration.

Diminishing Marginal Returns to Labor

A principle stating that if the amount of a variable resource (such as labor) increases while other factors are fixed, the additional output generated by the additional input will eventually decrease.

Productivity Growth Slowdown

A period characterized by a decrease in the rate at which the productivity of labor increases over time.