Amino acids

Question 1

What is the general formula for an amino acid?

Answer 1

• RCH(NH2)COOH

Question 2

Why are amino acids reactive?

Answer 2

• They contain both an acidic COOH and a basic NH2 which means they can react like carboxylic acids and amines

Question 3

What are the reactions of amino acids?

Answer 3

• reacting with acids
• reacting with alkali
  -esterification
• peptide bonds
• hydrolysis of peptide bonds

Question 4

How do amino acids react with acids?

Answer 4

• the amine group is basic and can react with acids, forming a salt

Question 5

How do amino acids react with alkali?

Answer 5

• the carboxylic group is acidic and can react with alkalis, forming a salt and water

Question 6

How do amino acids undergo esterification?

Answer 6

• Amino acids can be esterified by reacting them with an alcohol in the presence of conc sulfuric acid
• the carboxylic group is then esterified
• the acidic conditions also protonate the amine group

Question 7

What is a zwitterion?

Answer 7

• when an amino acid is both protonated (amine group) and deprotonated (acid)

Question 8

What is an isoelectric point?

Answer 8

• the point at which a zwitterion forms
• this is unique for every amino acid

Question 9

What happens if an amino acid is in a solution of a lower PH than its isoelectric point?

Answer 9

• the amine group is protonated
• DRAW

Question 10

What happens if an amino acid is in a solution of a higher PH than its isoelectric point?

Answer 10

• the carboxylic group is depronoated
• DRAW