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Biology: Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 Quiz - Proteins (Questions)

This Biology quiz is called 'Proteins' and it has been written by teachers to help you if you are studying the subject at middle school. Playing educational quizzes is a fabulous way to learn if you are in the 6th, 7th or 8th grade - aged 11 to 14.

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Proteins, the amino acid chains which are vital to all living organisms, are one of the topics looked at in middle school Biology. Their structure, their function and their many types are just some of the things we look at in this quiz. Proteins are polymers that consist of amino acid chains and they have a wide variety of functions in living organisms.

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There are many types of protein but four basic groups that often crop up in exams are structural proteins (examples keratin and collagen); enzymes (examples amylase and protease); hormones (examples insulin and growth hormone) and carrier molecules (example hemoglobin). Proteins are also found on the surface of microbes entering the body where they are called antigens. When these antigens are detected, they automatically trigger your immune system to produce other proteins, antibodies, which help to keep you free of infections.

There are approximately 20 different types of amino acid that make up proteins. Each protein molecule has hundreds (or even thousands) of these units joined together in a unique combination. The individual sequence of amino acids give the protein a specific shape which is created from the folding of the amino acid chain. This shape is very important as it allows the protein to join to other molecules in order to do its job.

Proteins work best at a particular temperature and pH. Outside if these values, their efficiency becomes less and less until at some point they do not work any more. If they are heated to temperatures higher than their optimum temperature (or cooled to lower temperatures), the molecules start to change shape. This makes them a lot less efficient at their job. We say that proteins that have been damaged permanently in this way have been denatured

One of the functions of many genes is to instruct cells to synthesize proteins. This is a complex biochemical process called transcription. In short, the DNA inside genes 'unzips' and is copied. The copies break free of the genes and travel into the rhibozomes of the cells, where the proteins are made by adding one amino acid at a time to the chains.

Proteins are vital to all living organisms. See how much you know about them by playing this quiz.

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1. Proteins consist of chains of...
[ ] fatty acids
[ ] amino acids
[ ] cholesterol
[ ] carboxylic acid
2. Some hormones are proteins. Which of the following is an example of a hormone which is a protein?
[ ] Adrenaline
[ ] Acetylcholine
[ ] Vitamin C
[ ] Insulin
3. The amino acid chain can be folded into a special...
[ ] size
[ ] shape
[ ] knot
[ ] branch
4. Enzymes are a special type of...
[ ] fat
[ ] starch
[ ] vitamin
[ ] protein
5. Enzymes are biological...
[ ] hormones
[ ] messengers
[ ] catalysts
[ ] nutrients
6. Hemoglobin is a protein which carries oxygen and is found in the...
[ ] white blood cells
[ ] memory cells
[ ] red blood cells
[ ] platelets
7. Some proteins ensure the function of which type of tissue?
[ ] Fat
[ ] Muscle
[ ] Lung
[ ] Bladder
8. Which special proteins are released by white blood cells when a pathogen is invading your body?
[ ] Antibodies
[ ] Antidote
[ ] Antisense
[ ] Antihistamines
9. Which chemical reagent is used to test for proteins?
[ ] Benedicts
[ ] Burette
[ ] Biuret
[ ] Bleach
10. Proteins are damaged by high...
[ ] concentration
[ ] temperature
[ ] moisture
[ ] wind
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Biology: Middle School: Grades 6, 7 and 8 Quiz - Proteins (Answers)
1. Proteins consist of chains of...
[ ] fatty acids
[x] amino acids
[ ] cholesterol
[ ] carboxylic acid
When proteins are digested by protease, amino acids are released
2. Some hormones are proteins. Which of the following is an example of a hormone which is a protein?
[ ] Adrenaline
[ ] Acetylcholine
[ ] Vitamin C
[x] Insulin
Both insulin and glucagon are hormones made from protein
3. The amino acid chain can be folded into a special...
[ ] size
[x] shape
[ ] knot
[ ] branch
This special shape allows the protein to join with another molecule in order to do its job
4. Enzymes are a special type of...
[ ] fat
[ ] starch
[ ] vitamin
[x] protein
They work using what is called a lock and key mechanism
5. Enzymes are biological...
[ ] hormones
[ ] messengers
[x] catalysts
[ ] nutrients
They speed up chemical reactions
6. Hemoglobin is a protein which carries oxygen and is found in the...
[ ] white blood cells
[ ] memory cells
[x] red blood cells
[ ] platelets
A lack of red blood cells or hemoglobin in the body is known as anemia
7. Some proteins ensure the function of which type of tissue?
[ ] Fat
[x] Muscle
[ ] Lung
[ ] Bladder
Muscle tissue consists of protein filaments which can cause contraction and relaxation of your muscles
8. Which special proteins are released by white blood cells when a pathogen is invading your body?
[x] Antibodies
[ ] Antidote
[ ] Antisense
[ ] Antihistamines
Antibodies have a special shape which can join to specific molecules on the surface of pathogens and help to destroy them
9. Which chemical reagent is used to test for proteins?
[ ] Benedicts
[ ] Burette
[x] Biuret
[ ] Bleach
An unknown sample is mixed with biuret reagent and the color changes from blue to purple if a protein is present
10. Proteins are damaged by high...
[ ] concentration
[x] temperature
[ ] moisture
[ ] wind
All proteins, including enzymes, are denatured or damaged by high temperatures and very low or very high pH