Amino Acids Flashcards
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What are the primary functions of proteins in the body?
Proteins perform a variety of functions, including structural support, transport, enzyme activity, defense, movement, and regulation.
What are amino acids?
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, each containing a carboxylic acid group, an amino group on the alpha carbon, and a unique side chain (R group).
What is a zwitterion?
A zwitterion is a form of an amino acid with both a positively charged –NH3⁺ group and a negatively charged –COO⁻ group.
How are amino acids classified?
Amino acids are classified as nonpolar (hydrophobic), polar (hydrophilic), acidic (hydrophilic), or basic (hydrophilic) based on their side chains.
What type of R group makes an amino acid nonpolar?
H, alkyl, or aromatic R groups.
What type of R group makes an amino acid polar?
Alcohol, thiol, or amide R groups.
What makes an amino acid acidic or basic?
Acidic amino acids have carboxylic acid side chains; basic amino acids have amine side chains.
Which amino acid is achiral?
Glycine.
What is the isoelectric point (pI)?
The pH at which an amino acid has no net charge (zwitterion form).
What happens to an amino acid in a solution more basic than its pI?
It loses a proton from the –NH3⁺ group and becomes negatively charged.
What happens to an amino acid in a solution more acidic than its pI?
It gains a proton on the –COO⁻ group and becomes positively charged.
How can amino acids be separated using electricity?
Based on charge: positive amino acids move to the negative electrode, negative ones to the positive electrode, and those at their pI don’t migrate.
