AMINO ACIDS Flashcards
Amino Acids
what is a peptide bond
is a bond formed when an amino group of one amino acid links with the carboxyl group of another
what name is given to the side chain
R
what is an alpha carbon
is the carbon that joins the amino group(-NH2) and the carboxyl group (-COOH)
outline the classes/classifications of amino acids
- Neutral amino acids
- Acidic amino acids
- Basic amino acids
mention the 4 subcategories of neutral amino acids
- Aliphatic amino acids
- Aromatic amino acids
- Heterocyclic amino acid
- Sulphur containing amino acid
what is the difference between aliphatic amino acids and aromatic amino acids?
Aliphatic amino acids have non-polar and hydrophobic R-group (does not mix well with water) while aromatic amino acids have a benzene ring in their side chain
mention any 4 examples of aliphatic amino acids
- glycine
- alanine
- valine
- leucine
- serine
- isoleucine
mention 2 examples of aromatic amino acids
- phenylalanine
- tyrosine
what are heterocyclic amino acids
they contain a cyclic R-group
mentiowhat are the examples of heterocyclic amino acids
1.histidine
2.tryptophan
what are imino acids
contains the NH2 and COOH groups attached to the alpha carbon and the NH2 is part of the R group
what are the examples of s containing amino acids
- cysteine
- methionine
what are acidic amino acids
these amino acids contains two -COOH groups and one -NH2 group/ also known as monoaminodicarboxylic acids
what are the examples of acidic amino acids
- Aspartic acid
- Glutamic acid
what are basic amino acids
are AA that contains -COOH group and two -NH2 groups. thus they are called diamino monocarboxylic acids
what are exaples of basic amino acids
- Arginine
- Lysine
- Hydroxylysine
Mention 3 nutritional classification of Amino acids
- Essential amino acids
- Non essential amino acids
- Semi essential amino acids
What are semi-essential amino acids
these are growth promoting factors since they are not synthesised in sufficient quantity during growth
what are examples of semi essential amino acids
- arginine
- histidine
what are essential amino acids
are the ones that can not be synthesized by the body, the diet is the source
what are the examples of essential amino acids
- leucine
- arginine
- lysine
- methionine
what are non-essential amino acids
are the ones that can be synthesized by the body
mentions any 5 sources of amino acids
- soy protein
- pork
- eggs
explain the functions of amino acids
- some amino acids areare converted to carbohydrates and are called glucogenic amino acid
- specific amino acids give rise to specialized products
mention the amino acids that adds up to form a product and mention the product
- tyrosine forms hormones such as thyroid hormone
- Tryptophan can synthesise a vitamin called niacin
- glycine, arginine and methionine sythesize creatine
- glycine is used for the stnthesis of haem
physical properties of amino acids
- are colorless amd crystalline, more solubke in water than in polar substances\
- they have high melting point, usually more than 200 oc
chemical properties of amino acids die to carboxylic group
- Amino acids forms esters with alcohols, reaction with Na2CO3 releases a free ester
- Amino acids forms amines by decarboxylation catalyzed by decarboxylase
- AA are reduced to amino alcohols in presence of aluminum hydride
chemical properties of amino acids die to Amino group
- The NH_2 group reacts with HCL forming salts
- AA reacts with acyl anhydrides (benzoyl chloride) gives acyl amino acids
- AA reacts with CO2 forming carbaminoacid anion
- H2O2 reacts with NH_2 to form ammonia (NH4
define aminoacidopathies
Inherited errors of metabolism enzyme defect that inhibits the body’s ability to metabolize certain amino acids.
the abnormalities of acidopathies exist in two forms, explain them
- the activity of a specific enzyme in the metabolic pathway
- in the membrane transport system for amino acids e.g Cystinuria
explain how the guthie test is done
The infant’s blood is collected on a piece of filter paper Small disc of the 4 filter paper is punched out and placed on an agar plate containing Bacillus subtilis and beta-2 thienylalanine The beta-2-thienylalanine inhibits bacterial growth, but in the presence of phenylalanine leaked from the disk, the bacteria still grow
The presence of phenylalanine from the disks overcomes the inhibition and bacteria grow
what are yhe characteristics of phenylketonuria
- Compounds may be present in blood and urine giving it a characteristic musty odor
- In infants and children, it may cause retarded mental development and microcephaly
How is phenylketonuria caused
Results from absence of activity of phenylalanine hydroxylase that catalyzes conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine
list the aminoacidopathies
- Phynylketonoria
- Tyrosinemia
- Alkaptonuria
- Maple syrup urine disease
- Isovaleric acidemia
- Homocystinuria
- Citrullinemia
- Argininosuccinic aciduria
- Cystinuria
What is tyrosinemia
it is an Inborn metabolic disorders of tyrosine catabolism, characterized by the excretion of tyrosine and tyrosine catabolites in urine
Tyrosine is an amino acid that takes part in the production of dopamine
How is tyrosinemia diagnised
diagnosis criteria include an elevated tyrosine level using tandem MS/MS. coupled with a confirmatory test for an elevated level of the abnormal metablite succinylacetone
What are the characteristic of alkaptonuria (1)
Characterized by the patients urine turning brown when mixed with air due to accumulation of homogentisic acid thus oxidized and produce color.
what causes alkaptonuria
Caused by the lack of enzyme Homogentisate oxidase, required for metabolism of tyrosine and phenylalanine
how to diagnose alkaptonuria in the lab
In clinical laboratory when patient urine is mixed with ferric chloride, it turns black.
what is maple syrup urine disease [MSUD]
Results from reduced activity of the enzyme branched-chain α-keto acid decarboxylase, affecting the metabolism of leucine, isoleucine and valine
Explain the diagnosis of MSDU
A modified Guthrie test is performed where the inhibitor is 4-azaleucine.
A microfluorometric assay involves filter paper specimen treated with methanol and acetone to denature the hemoglobin.
Leucine dehydrogenase is added and the fluorescence of the NADH produced in the subsequent reaction is measured at 450 nm after excitation at 360nm
Levels above 4mg/dl is indicative of MSUD, MS/MS is also used in testing for MSUD
what causes isovaleric acidemia
Results from a deficiency of the enzyme isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase, preventing normal metabolism of the branched-chain amino acid leucine
what are the characteristics of isovaleric acidemia
Characteristic feature is a unique odor of sweaty feet caused by the buildup of isovaleric acid
what is homocystinuria
Homocystinuria is an inherited metabolic disorder characterized by an abnormal accumulation of homocysteine in the blood and urine. Results from lack of the enzyme cystathionine β-synthase necessary for the metabolism of the amino acid methionine
Leading to elevated plasma and urine levels of methionine and of the precursor homocysteine
What is type I citrullinemia
Is a metabolic defect caused by the lack of the enzyme argininosuccinic acid synthetase , leading buldup of citrulline and ammonia in the blood.
what is type II citrullinemia
Is a metabolic defect that results from the mutation of gene encoding CITRIN
What is argininosuccinic aciduria (ASA)
Results from the lack of the enzyme argininosuccinic acid lyase, preventing the conversion of argininosuccinic acid ito arginine. (the conversion of argininosuccinic acid causes build up of the amino acid citrulline and amonia in the blood.
what is cystinuria
a defect in the amino acid transport system.
characteristics of cystenuria
it is characterized by the inability of the kidney to reabsorb cystine leading to accumualtion ofthe amino acid
what does the statement cystine precipitates in kidneys and form stones mean
The statement “cystine precipitates in kidneys and forms stones” means that the amino acid cystine, which is normally dissolved in urine, crystallizes and forms solid masses or stones in the kidneys. This condition is often associated with a genetic disorder called cystinuria, where the kidneys excrete an excessive amount of cystine into the urine. When the concentration of cystine in the urine is too high, it exceeds its solubility limit and begins to form crystals, which can aggregate into stones. These cystine stones can cause pain, urinary tract infections, and may lead to kidney damage if not treated1
How is cystinuria diagnosed
Clinically diagnosed by testing the urine forcystine using cyanide nitroprusside
Why must specimens for amino acid analysis be collected after fasting?
To avoid contamination from dietary amino acids that could affect the analysis results
What is the importance of using heparin tubes with prompt separation
It prevents contamination from platelets and white cells, as well as hemolysis, ensuring sample integrity
How does the concentration of aspartic acid and glutamic acid in WBC compare to plasma?
It is 100 times higher in WBC than in plasma, which can impact the accuracy of the analysis if contaminated
What should be done with the sample after collection for amino acid analysis?
Deproteinize (removing proteins from biological samples) within 30 minutes and analyze immediately, or freeze at −20°C to −40°C to preserve it for later analysis
Where are most proteins synthesized and secreted in the body?
Most proteins are synthesized in the liver and secreted by hepatocytes, except for immunoglobulins which are produced by plasma cells
How is the information for protein synthesis encoded?
The information is encoded in genes, which provide the protein its unique amino acid sequence
What processes allow for the genetic code to be read and proteins to be synthesized?
The processes of transcription and translation enable the genetic code to be read and proteins to be synthesized
What is the difference in the synthesis location of intracellular proteins and proteins made by the liver for secretion
Intracellular proteins are mostly synthesized on free ribosomes, while proteins made by the liver for secretion are synthesized on ribosomes attached to the rough endoplasmic reticulum
What role do glucagon and cortisol play in protein metabolism
Glucagon and cortisol assist in controlling protein catabolism.
Which hormones assist in controlling protein synthesis?
Thyroxine, growth hormone, insulin, and testosterone assist in controlling protein synthesis.
At what rate does protein synthesis occur
Protein synthesis occurs at the rate of approximately two to six peptide bonds per second
How can proteins be classified based on their shape and size?
Proteins can be classified as fibrous or globular based on their shape, and as small, medium, or large based on their size.
What defines a protein as a globular protein?
A protein is classified as a globular protein when the axial ratio of its length to width is less than 10.
Describe the shape and solubility of globular proteins.
Globular proteins are approximately spherical in shape and are generally water-soluble.
Can you provide examples of globular proteins?
Myoglobin
haemoglobin
ribonuclease
What characterizes a protein as a fibrous protein?
A protein is classified as a fibrous protein when the axial ratio of its length to width is more than 10
What are the main functions of fibrous proteins and are they water-soluble
Fibrous proteins are structural proteins that are generally insoluble in water
Describe the structural arrangement of fibrous proteins
Fibrous proteins consist of long cable-like structures built entirely of either helical or sheet arrangements.
Can you provide examples of fibrous proteins?
α-keratin and collagen
explain the fuctional properties of amino proteins
- Defense proteins: Immunoglobulins involved in defense mechanisms.
- Contractile proteins: Proteins of skeletal muscle involved in muscle contraction and relaxation.
- Respiratory proteins: Involved in the function of respiration, like haemoglobin, myoglobin, cytochromes.
- Structural proteins: Proteins of skin, cartilage, nail
- Enzymes
- Hormones