Amino Acids Flashcards

1
Q

are the most abundant and functionally diverse molecules in living systems

A

Proteins

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2
Q

What proteins permit muscle movement?

A

contractile proteins

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3
Q

Proteins that direct and regulate metabolism in the body

A

enzymes and polypeptide hormones

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4
Q

forms a framework for the deposition of calcium phosphate crystals, acting like the steel cables in reinforced concrete

A

protein collagen

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5
Q

In the bloodstream, proteins, such as _________ and _________ shuttle molecules essential to life,

A

hemoglobin and plasma albumin

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6
Q

fight infectious bacteria and viruses

A

immunoglobulins

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7
Q

Parts of amino acid

A

carboxyl group, primary amino group, primary carbon, side chain

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8
Q

Explain what happens to amino acids at physiologic pH (7.4)

A

the carboxyl group is dissociated, forming the negatively charged carboxylate ion (–COO–) and the amino group is protonated (–NH3+).

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9
Q

In proteins, almost all of these carboxyl and amino groups are combined through

A

peptide linkage

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10
Q

Explain what trait of proteins are due to them having only peptide bonds?

A

In general, they are not available for chemical reaction except for hydrogen bond formation

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11
Q

We classify amino acids by their?

A

Side chain

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12
Q

Explain the properties of a nonpolar side chains

A

does not gain or lose protons or participate in hydrogen or ionic bonds thought of as “oily” or lipid-like, a property that promotes hydrophobic inter-actions

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13
Q

What happens to nonpolar amino acids in aqueous solutions?

A

the side chains of the nonpolar amino acids tend to cluster together in the interior of the protein

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14
Q

When are nonpolar R groups found at the surface of the protein?

A

When they are located in a hydrophobic environment such ass a membrane (lipid environments)

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15
Q

Sickle cell anemia is caused by which amino acid replacement?

A

polar glutamate with nonpolar valine at the sixth position in the β subunit of hemoglobin

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16
Q

which amino acid has rigid 5 membered ring structure since the R group is also connected to the amino group

A

Proline

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17
Q

Proline is frequently reffered to as an?

A

“imino acid”

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18
Q

The unique geometry of proline contributes to what aspects in the body

A

the formation of the fibrous structure of collagen and often interrupts the α-helices found in globular proteins

19
Q

These amino acids have zero net charge at physiologic pH,

A

Amino acids with uncharged polar side chains

20
Q

Amino acids with uncharged polar side chains that can lose a proton at an alkaline pH

A

cysteine and tyrosine

21
Q

Amino acids with uncharged polar side chains that contain a polar hydroxyl group that can participate in hydrogen bond formation

A

Serine, threonine, and tyrosine

22
Q

The side chain of these amino acids with uncharged polar side chains each contain a carbonyl group and an amide group, both of which can also participate in hydrogen bonds.

A

asparagine and glutamine

23
Q

The side chain of cysteine contains

A

sulfhydryl (thiol) group (–SH)

24
Q

Explain disulfide bonds

A

The side chain of cysteine contains a sulfhydryl (thiol) group (–SH), which is an important component of the active site of many enzymes. In proteins, the –SH groups of two cysteines can be oxidized to form a covalent crosslink called a disulfide bond (–S–S–). Two disulfide-linked cysteines are referred to as “cystine.”

25
Q

The polar hydroxyl group of ______,________, and _____ can serve as a site of attachment for structures such as a ____________

A

serine; threonine; and, rarely, tyrosine

phosphate group.

26
Q

They can serve as a site of attachment for oligosaccharide chains in glycoproteins

A

the amide group of asparagine, as well as the hydroxyl group of serine or threonine

27
Q

The amino acids ______ and ______ are proton donors. At physiologic pH, the side chains of these amino acids are fully ionized, containing a negatively charged carboxylate group (–COO–).

A

aspartic
glutamic acid

28
Q

Amino acids that are negatively charged at physiologic pH

A

Amino acids with acidic side chain

29
Q

The side chains of these amino acids accept protons

A

basic amino acids

30
Q

At physiologic pH, the R groups of _______ and ______ are fully ionized and positively charged.

A

lysine and arginine

31
Q

Basic amino acid that is weakly basic, and the free amino acid is largely uncharged at physiologic pH.

A

Histidine

32
Q

This is an important property of histidine that contributes to the buffering role it plays in the functioning of proteins such as hemoglobin

A

when histidine is incorporated into a protein, its R group can be either positively charged (protonated) or neutral, depending on the ionic environment provided by the protein.

Histidine is the only amino acid with a side chain that can ionize within the physiologic pH range.

33
Q

explain amino acid naming rule | Unique first letter:

A

If only one amino acid begins with a given letter, then that letter is used as its symbol. For example, V = valine.

34
Q

explain amino acid naming rule | Most commonly occurring amino acids have priority

A

If more than one amino acid begins with a particular letter, the most common of these amino acids receives this letter as its symbol. For example, glycine is more common than glutamate, so G = glycine.

35
Q

explain amino acid naming rule | Similar sounding names

A

Some one-letter symbols sound like the amino acid they represent. For example, F = phenylalanine, or W = tryptophan (“twyptophan” as Elmer Fudd would say).

36
Q

explain amino acid rule | Letter close to initial letter

A

For the remaining amino acids, a one-letter symbol is assigned that is as close in the alphabet as possible to the initial letter of the amino acid, for example, K = lysine. Furthermore, B is assigned to Asx, signifying either aspartic acid or asparagine, Z is assigned to Glx, signifying either glutamic acid or glutamine, and X is assigned to an unidentified amino acid.

37
Q

What are the four rules regarding naming common amino acids

A

Unique first letter

Most commonly occurring amino acids have priority

Similar sounding names

Letter close to initial letter

38
Q

The α-carbon of an amino acid is attached to four different chemical groups (asymmetric) and is, therefore, a?

A

chiral or optically active carbon atom

39
Q

An example of an amino acid that is not a chiral or optically active carbon atom

A

glycine

40
Q

Amino acids that are not optically active or chiral

A

Stereoisomers, optical isomers, or enantiomers

41
Q

What sturctural configuration can you spot amino acids in proteins?

A

L-configuration

42
Q

D-configuration amino acids can be found where?

A

some antibiotics and bacterial cell walls

43
Q

Amino acids in aqueous solution contain?

A

weakly acidic α-carboxyl groups and weakly basic α-amino groups and ionizable group in its side chain

44
Q

both free amino acids and some amino acids combined in peptide linkages can act as ________ due to them containing a weak acid and base.

A

buffers