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Protein - structure and function > Amino acid features > Flashcards

Amino acid features Flashcards

1
Q

Arginine (Arg, R)

A

Positively charged, polar.
Contains a guanidinium group; precursor for nitric oxide (NO) synthesis

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2
Q

Alanine (Ala, A)

A

Feature: Nonpolar, aliphatic.

Special Feature: One of the simplest amino acids, often involved in the alanine-glucose cycle for energy production.

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3
Q

Asparagine (Asn, N)

A

Feature: Polar, uncharged.

Special Feature: Contains an amide group; important for N-linked glycosylation in proteins

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4
Q

Aspartic Acid (Asp, D)

A

Feature: Negatively charged, polar.

Special Feature: Plays a role in the urea cycle and gluconeogenesis.

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5
Q

Cysteine (Cys, C)

A

Feature: Polar, uncharged.

Special Feature: Contains a thiol group; forms disulfide bonds critical for protein structure.

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6
Q

Glutamine (Gln, Q)

A

Feature: Polar, uncharged.

Special Feature: Important for nitrogen transport and metabolism; precursor for nucleotides.

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7
Q

Glutamic Acid (Glu, E)

A

Feature: Negatively charged, polar.

Special Feature: Acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.

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8
Q

Glycine (Gly, G)

A

Feature: Nonpolar, aliphatic.

Special Feature: The smallest amino acid; often found in tight turns of protein structures.

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9
Q

Histidine (His, H)

A

Feature: Positively charged, polar.

Special Feature: Contains an imidazole ring; can act as a proton donor or acceptor at physiological pH.

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10
Q

Isoleucine (Ile, I)

A

Feature: Nonpolar, aliphatic.

Special Feature: Branched-chain amino acid; essential for muscle metabolism.

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11
Q

Leucine (Leu, L)

A

Feature: Nonpolar, aliphatic.

Special Feature: Branched-chain amino acid; stimulates protein synthesis via mTOR pathway.

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12
Q

Lysine (Lys, K)

A

Feature: Positively charged, polar.

Special Feature: Contains an ε-amino group; important for histone modification and crosslinking in collagen.

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13
Q

Methionine (Met, M)

A

Feature: Nonpolar, aliphatic.

Special Feature: Contains a sulfur atom; the start codon (AUG) in protein synthesis.

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14
Q

Phenylalanine (Phe, F)

A

Feature: Aromatic, nonpolar.

Special Feature: Precursor for tyrosine and neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine.

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15
Q

Proline (Pro, P)

A

Feature: Nonpolar, aliphatic.

Special Feature: Contains a cyclic structure; disrupts secondary structures like α-helices.

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16
Q

Serine (Ser, S)

A

Feature: Polar, uncharged.

Special Feature: Contains a hydroxyl group; involved in phosphorylation and signal transduction.

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17
Q

Threonine (Thr, T)

A

Feature: Polar, uncharged.

Special Feature: Contains a hydroxyl group; important for glycosylation of proteins.

18
Q

Tryptophan (Trp, W)

A

Feature: Aromatic, nonpolar.

Special Feature: Precursor for serotonin and melatonin; contains an indole ring.

19
Q

Tyrosine (Tyr, Y)

A

Feature: Aromatic, polar.

Special Feature: Precursor for dopamine, epinephrine, and thyroid hormones; can be phosphorylated.

20
Q

Valine (Val, V)

A

Feature: Nonpolar, aliphatic.

Special Feature: Branched-chain amino acid; important for muscle repair and growth.

21
Q

Nonpolar, Aliphatic

A

Alanine (Ala), Valine (Val), Leucine (Leu), Isoleucine (Ile), Methionine (Met), Proline (Pro), Glycine (Gly).

22
Q

Aromatic

A

Phenylalanine (Phe), Tyrosine (Tyr), Tryptophan (Trp).

23
Q

Positively Charged (Basic)

A

Lysine (Lys), Arginine (Arg), Histidine (His).

24
Q

Negatively Charged (Acidic)

A

Aspartic Acid (Asp), Glutamic Acid (Glu).

25
Q

Polar, Uncharged

A

Serine (Ser), Threonine (Thr), Asparagine (Asn), Glutamine (Gln), Cysteine (Cys).

26
Q

Contains Sulfur

A

Cysteine (Cys), Methionine (Met).

27
Q

Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)

A

Leucine (Leu), Isoleucine (Ile), Valine (Val).

28
Q

Can Form Disulfide Bonds

A

Cysteine (Cys).

29
Q

Contains a Hydroxyl Group

A

Serine (Ser), Threonine (Thr), Tyrosine (Tyr).

30
Q

Contains an Amide Group

A

Asparagine (Asn), Glutamine (Gln).

31
Q

Precursor for Neurotransmitters

A

Tryptophan (Trp → serotonin), Tyrosine (Tyr → dopamine, norepinephrine), Glutamic Acid (Glu → GABA).

32
Q

Involved in Glycosylation

A

Asparagine (Asn), Serine (Ser), Threonine (Thr).

33
Q

Cyclic Structure

A

Proline (Pro), Tryptophan (Trp).

34
Q

Start Codon in Protein Synthesis

A

Methionine (Met).

35
Q

Can Be Phosphorylated

A

Serine (Ser), Threonine (Thr), Tyrosine (Tyr).

36
Q

Contains an Imidazole Ring

A

Histidine (His).

37
Q

Contains a Guanidinium Group

A

Arginine (Arg).

38
Q

Smallest Amino Acid

A

Glycine (Gly).

39
Q

Involved in the Urea Cycle

A

Arginine (Arg), Aspartic Acid (Asp).

Protein - structure and function (3 decks)

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