Organic chemistry chapter 10 MCAT

nonpolar nonaromatic and aromatic

AA that tend to be hydrophobic and reside on the interior of proteins

polar, negative, and positive charged

AA that tend to be hydrophilic and reside on the exterior of proteins, these make hydrogen bonds within the aqueous environment

polypeptides

made up of multiple AA’s linked by peptide bonds

proteins

large folded functional polypeptides

strecker synthesis

a laboratory method used to synthesize alpha-amino acids. It involves a series of reactions starting with an aldehyde, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide (HCN), culminating in the formation of an amino acid with the same carbon skeleton as the original aldehyde.

gabriel synthesis

a laboratory method used to synthesize primary amines and, more relevant to the MCAT, amino acids. It involves a series of reactions starting with a phthalimide, a strong base, and an alkyl halide, leading to the formation of the desired amine or amino acid. On the MCAT, it's important to understand the overall reaction scheme and the key steps involved, particularly the SN2 reaction and the subsequent hydrolysis and decarboxylation steps.