3.13 Flashcards
what are the two functional groups of amino acids?
NH2 and COOH (amine and carboxylic acid)
How many are naturally occurring amino acids there in the human body?
20
What type of amino acids are found in the body?
alpha amino acids
What does this mean about the structure
It means NH2 is always on the carbon next to COOH
Draw general formula for alpha-amino acids.
Are alpha-amino acids chiral?
Yes
Why are alpha-amino acids chiral?
One carbon has 4 different substituents (except glycine where R=H)
Which enantiomer do alpha-amino acids exist as in nature?
(-) enantiomer
How can amino acids be synthesized industrially?
RCHO + NH4CN –> RCH(NH4)CN via Nucleophillic addition
RCH(NH2)CN + HCl + 2H2O –> RCH(NH2)COOH + NH4Cl
(Hydrolysis, HCL is dilute)
How can amino acids be synthesized industrially?
RCHO + NH4CH —> RCH(NH2)CN via nucleophilic addition
RCH(NH2)CN + HCl + 2H2O —> RCH(NH2)COOH + NH4Cl (hydrolysis, HCl is dilute)
Need to reflux the reaction mixture
Is the product from amino acid being synthesized naturally optically active?
No
Why is the product from amino acid being synthesized naturally optically active?
A racemic mixture is formed as the CN_ ion can attack from above or below the planar C=O bond with equal likelihood. An equal amount of each enantiomer is formed, so no net effect on plane polarised light.
In what form do amino acids exist as solids?
Zwitterions (ionics lattice)
What consequences does amino acid solids have?
High M.P. and B.P.’s
What colour are most zwitterions at room temperature?
White solids
Do zwitterions dissolve in water?
Yes
Do zwitterions dissolve in non-polar solvents?
No
Why do/don’t zwitterions dissolve in non-polar solvents?
Zwitterions have polar bonds
Define a zwitterions
Ions which have a permanent positive and negative charge, but are overall neutral.
How do zwitterions occur in amino acids?
COOH is de-protonated —> COO_
NH2 is protonated —> NH3+
What happens to amino acids in acidic conditions?
Gains a proton at the NH2 group.
What happens to amino acids in alkaline conditions?
Loses a proton at the COOH group.
What is the peptide linkage?
CONH
What is a dipeptide? Draw a general one for amino acids
Two amino acids bonded together (a dimer).
What name is given to amino acid chains up to 50 amino acids long?
Polypeptides
What is the name given to chains of more than 50 amino acids?
Proteins
What are polypeptides and proteins found in?
Enzymes
Wool
Hair
Muscles
What is the process by which polypeptides and proteins are broken down into their constituent amino acids?
Hydrolysis