7.1 Amino Acids Flashcards
What are proteins?
biologically important macromolecules that act as enzymes, hormones, receptors, antibodies, and support structures
What is the generic formula for all amino acids?
carboxyl group, amino group, hydrogen, and R group
What is the only amino acid that does not have a chiral stereocenter?
glycine
What configuration are all animal amino acids?
L configuration
What configuration are all human carbohydrates?
D configuration
What are the three classification systems of organic molecules?
- optical activity (+) or (-)
- actual structure/absolute configuration (R and S)
- D and L
What are the four broad categories of amino acids?
basic
acidic
nonpolar
polar
What are the acidic amino acids?
aspartic acid
glutamic acid
How many functional groups on the acidic amino acids can act as acids?
three (carboxyl, carboxyl, hydrogen)
How do the acidic amino acids occur in physiological form?
deprotonated
What are the basic amino acids?
lysine
arginine
histidine
What are the nonpolar amino acids?
glycine
alanine
valine
leucine
isoleucine
phenylalanine
tryptophan
What are the polar amino acids?
serine
threonine
tyrosine
asparagine
glutamine
What are the sulfur containing amino acids?
cysteine
methionine
What is unique about proline?
amino group is covalently bonded to its nonpolar side chain