Amino Acids and Proteins (exam 2 start) Flashcards
What is a codon?
- base triplets that correspond to a specific amino acid in mRNA
- allows 4^3 or 64 diff combos
What direction do codons go in?
- 5’->3’
What are the stop signals to end translation?
- UAA
- UAG
- UGA
What is the start/Met signal for translation?
- AUG
Triplet Code
- three bases specify an amino acid
Degenerate
- multiple codons can specify a single amino acid.
Specific/Unambiguous
- each codon specifies only one amino acid.
Non-Overlapping
- once a start codon is recognized, there is only one correct “reading frame” of triplets.
No Punctuation
- once initiated, bases are “read” continuously (without pausing) until a stop codon is reached.
Universal
- the translation process and codingin all species (investigated) is always the same.
How many standard amino acids are there?
- 20
What is the standard structure of each amino acid?
- has an amino and carboxyl group joined by a -CH- group the (a carbon)
- the R group is the unique feature to each amino acid
Stereoisomers
- Molecules that have the same structural formulas and bonding patterns, but with a different arrangement of atoms or groups in space.
Enantiomers
- Stereoisomers that are “mirror images” of each other.
- referred to as D(clockwise) and L(ccw) enantiomers/mirror images
Chiral atoms
- When 4 different groups are attached to a carbon atom,
- also called a stereocenter, or an asymmetric carbon
All amino acids except _____ can exist in D and L forms because in each case the a-carbon is asymmetric. It is the sole exception because two of the four groups bonded to the a carbon are both H atoms, thus eliminating asymmetry and making it achiral.
- glycine
How to distinguish D and L isomers?
- if one chiral center R=D and S=L
- nearly all form S formation/L isomer
Amphoteric
- can act as both an acid and a base
What is the zwitterion form on an amino acid and why does it occur?
- when an amino acid is around a neutral pH the a-carboxylic acid group is deprotonated (COO- charge) and the a-amino group is protonated (NH3+ charge)
- this is the primary form amino acids are written in
Does the zwitterion form have a net charge?
- no it is normally in equal numbers one + and one - charge
What is the isoelectric point?
- the pH when there is no net charge
What does it mean that the a-carbon is “asymmetric”
- there are four different groups attatched
What is classification of amino acids primarily based on?
- R group properties
- Potential interactions with water**
- Presence / absence of dissociable groups
6 main groups of amino acids
- nonpolar aliphatic amino acids ( 5, GAVLI)
- nonpolar amino acids (2, PM)
- nonpolar aromatic amino acids (3, FYW)
- polar amino acids (5, SCTNQ)
- Positively charged amino acids (3, HKR)
- Negatively charged amino acids (2, DE)
Nonpolar Aliphatic amino acids
from left to right R group is more extended and hydrophobic
- glycine, alanine, valine, leucine and isoleucine
Nonpolar aromatic amino acids
- phenylanlanine, tyrosine and tryptophan
Nonpolar amino acids
- proline, methionine
What is the exception in the nonpolar aromatic amino acids that is polar?
- tyrosine
Polar amino acids
- serine, cysteine, threonine, asparagine, glutamine