Biochemistry Topics MCAT

Proteinogenic

referring to the amino acids that are specified by the genetic code and are used to synthesize proteins during translation.

Mutagenesis

the process by which mutations are deliberately introduced inta a DNA seqence in order to to produce a mutant gene or protein

Site-directed mutagenesis

A technique used to introduce specific mutations into DNA

Amphoteric species

can either accept or donate a proton depending on the pH of their environment

pKa

the pH at which half of the molecules of that species are deprotonated [HA] = [A-]

Zwitterion

Dipolar (inner salt) ion that has an equal number of positively and negatively charged ions

Isoelectric Point

the pH at which the molecule is electrically neutral

Peptide bonds

specialized form of an amide bond, forms between -coo group and NH3+ group of amino acids

Peptide bond formation is an example of a ______ reaction

Condensation/Dehydration

Equation to find the isoelectric point of a neutral amino acid

(pKa, NH3+ group + pKa, COOH group)/2

Equation to find the isoelectric point of an acidic amino acid

(pKa, R group + pKa, COOH group)/2

Equation to find the isoelectric point of a basic amino acid

(pKa, NH3+ group + pKa, R group)/2