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=13.4 Protiens are Polymers of Amino Acids= Protiens- large polymeric biomolecules made of monomer units called amino acids. Amino Acid- consists of an amine group and a carboxylic acid group bonded to a central carbon atom. Enzymes- a class of protiens that catalyze biochemical reactions. peptide bonds- are formed in a condensation reaction in which the carboxylic acid end of one of the amino acids are joined to the amine end of a second amino acid. - a group of amino acids linked together in this fashion is called a peptide. - peptides of ten or more amino acids are generally called polypeptides.

 Although functioning protiens have very specific amino acid sequences, slight variations may sometimes be tolerate. some cases...not so much. A case of such would be Sickle Cell Anemia Sickle cell anemia- a disease passed down through families in which red blood cells form an abnormal crescent shape. (Red blood cells are normally shaped like a disc.)  Hemoglobin is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. Sickle cell anemia is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin called hemoglobin S. Hemoglobin S distorts the shape of red blood cells, especially when exposed to low oxygen levels. The distorted red blood cells are shaped like crescents or sickles. These fragile, sickle-shaped cells deliver less oxygen to the body's tissues. They can also clog more easily in small blood vessels, and break into pieces that disrupt healthy blood flow. >>