5 - Amino Acids Flashcards
1
Q
Functions of proteins
A
enzymic transport structural movement signalling defence
2
Q
primary structure
A
The sequence in which the amino acids are arranged
3
Q
Amino acid structure
A
Amino group, Carboxyl group, Hydrogen atom, central carbon atom, variable side chain
4
Q
What factors do side chains vary by
A
Size + shape Charge Hydrophobicity Hydrophilicity Chemical reactivity
5
Q
Why are there 2 optical isomers for each amino acid
A
Because 4 different groups are attached to the central carbon atom, which makes it chiral
6
Q
Which isomer is incorporated into the protein?
A
L- isomer
7
Q
What happens at physiological pH (7)
A
the amino and carboxyl groups are IONISED
8
Q
what is pKa
A
the pH at which an ionisable group is one-half charged and one-half neutral
