Proteins

Proteins

Most abundant substances in nearly all cells next to water

Amino Acid

basic unit of proteins

α carbon

carbon adjacent to the carboxyl group

R group

side chain that gives each amino acid a unique property

Carboxyl group

Accepts a hydrogen ion to become negatively charged carboxylate ion at cellular ph

Loses its hydroxide group during dehydration synthesis to link with an adjacent amino carbon

Forms the “carboxyl end” at the finish line of a protein chain

Amino group

Accepts a hydrogen ion to become positively charged ammonia ion at cellular ph

Loses a hydrogen ion during dehydration synthesis to bind with an adjacent carboxyl carbon

Forms the “amino end” where protein synthesis always begins

Non-polar Amino Acids

contains one amino group, one carboxyl group and a non-polar side chain

Polar Neutral Amino Acids

contains one amino group, one carboxyl group and polar but neutral side chain

Polar acidic Amino Acids

Contains one amino acids groups and two carboxyl group (the second carboxyl group is a part of the side chain)

Basic Amino Acids

Contains two amino acids groups and one carboxyl group (the second amino group is a part of the side chain)

Essential and Non-essential amino acids

Necessary for growth and normal body functions but cannot be synthesized by the body. Obtained through consumption

chiral, stereogenic, or asymmetric carbon

a carbon atom bonded to four different atoms or groups of atoms

L - configuration

The most common and naturally accruing configuration of amino acids

Zwitterions

molecule that has a positive charge on one atom and negative charge on another atom, but which has no net charge

isoelectric pH (pl)

the pH at which an amino acid becomes a zwitterion