17.1 amino acids

define amino acids

monomers that make up proteins

define proteins

organic biopolymers

what are amino acids made of

carboxyl functional group and an amino functional group, and a hydrogen attached tp the central carbon called an alpha carbon

define alpha carbon

carbon adjacent to the carboxyl group

define beta carbon

2 carbons away from the alpha carbon or adjacent to the alpha carbon

what is the general formula of an alpha amino acid

H2N-CHR-COOH

what are properties of side chains in amino acids

non polar

polar

acid/base properties (possible for other forms of amino acids to form)

what type of bonds can amino acids form

hydrogen bonds with water, making them soluble

explain how amino acids exhibit acid/base properties

Nh2 can act as a base, accepting H+

COOH can act as a base, donating H+

what is a zwitter ion

present in crystalline salts of amino acids and at intermediate pH of amino acids.

molecule that contains a positive and negative charge but overall no charge

why do amino acids have a high MP

because of the presence of zwitter ions being in a solid state, meaning that the amino acids are held together by ionic bonds

what pH are zwitter ions most abundant

5-7, +H3O-CHR-COO-

what pH is acidic amino acid abundant at

a low pH, +H3O-CHR-COOH. H3O ions react with zwitter ion form to produce acidic amino acid and H2O

what pH is basic amino acid most abundant at

a high ph, H2N-CHR-COO-. OH- ions react with zwitter ion form to produce basic amino acid and water