Amino Acids Flashcards
Define amino acids
Monomers of all proteins
Define peptide bond
A bond formed when two amino acids are joined by a condensation reaction
What are proteins?
Large polymers consisting of long chains of amino acids
What are the functions of proteins? (3)
Form structural components of animals in particular
Tendency to adopt specific shapes make them good enzymes
Act as carriers in the membrane
What is the structure of an amino acid?
Amino group one end
R group and an added hydrogen in the middle
And a carboxyl group on the end
How are amino acids different?
The R group changes depending on the amino acid
Which amino acids don’t end in -ine?
Acidic ones
What is a peptide bond?
The covalent bonds of amino acids
How are peptide bonds formed?
Through a condensation reaction
Enzymes catalyse this reaction
What enzyme breaks down peptide bonds during digestion?
Protease
What else does protease break down? And why?
Protein hormones. So that the effects aren’t permanent
When two amino acids bond what is this called?
A dipeptide
When a long chain of amino acids join together what is this called?
A polypeptide
What is a byproduct of amino acids condensation reactions?
Water
