Amino Acids

How are amino acids joined together

Linearly through a peptide bond

What are amino acids used for?

Understanding the function of individual proteins

Define transcription

A complementary RNA copy or a DNA sequence / gene

Define translation

mRNA is decoded by the ribosomes and turned into tRNA which is then used to produced a certain amino acid chain that will later fold into an active protein

What are the parts of an Amino Acid?

The carboxyl group

Amino group

Alpha carbon

Side chain

Hydrogen

How are we able to determine L or D configuration of an amino acid

L configuration has the amino group on the Left while D configuration has it on the right

What is a unique property of amino acids?

In the Zwitterionic (completed charged form in a neutral solution) form they can act as weak acids or bases

How do the charge of amino acids relate to pH

the pH of a solution can effect the charge in the amino acid

Describe the isoelectric point

pH where the net charge equals 0

For amino acids without ionizable side chains

Isoelectric point formula

pi= (pK1+pK2)/(2)

Name the amino acids that have no polar aliphatic R groups

Glycine

Alanine

Proline

Valine

Leucine

Isoleucine

Methionine

List amino acids with aromatic R groups

Phenylalanine

Tyrisone

Tryptophan

List the amino acids with polar uncharged R groups

Serine

Theronine

Cysteine

Asparagine

Glutamine

What is unique about cysteine ?

Has disulfide bonds that can be oxidized and can ionize at a high pH

List amino acids with positively charged R groups

Lysine

Arginine

Histidine

List amino acids with negatively charged R groups

Aspartate

Glutamate