Atom and Polymer of Amino Acids

Vocabulary flashcards covering amino acid structure, chemical properties of R groups, peptide bond formation, and protein folding based on the lecture transcript.

Hydrophilic amino acid

An amino acid with an R group that contains polar covalent bonds or ions, allowing it to form hydrogen bonds with water molecules.

Cation

An ion carrying a full positive charge.

Anion

An ion carrying a negative charge.

Alpha carbon

The central carbon atom that connects an amino group, a carboxyl group, and an R group.

Carboxyl group

An oxygen-containing group whose carbon atom links to the nitrogen atom of an amino group during polymerization, releasing a molecule of water.

Amino group

A nitrogen-containing functional group whose nitrogen atom links to the carbon atom of a carboxyl group when forming a peptide.

R group

The distinct set of remaining atoms attached to the alpha carbon that defines the specific chemical nature of an amino acid and peptide.

Peptide

A polymer formed by two or more amino acids joined together.

Protein

A complex structure formed when long peptides fold due to the chemical properties of their R groups.