Amino acids, proteins and peptides Flashcards
What type of isomerism do amino acids commonly show
Optical as all but glycine have different groups around a central chiral carbon
How is a zwitterion created
The hydrogen from the carboxyl end moves to the amine end to create a positive amine end and a negative carboxyl end
Why do amino acids have high boiling points
The zwitterion effect allows them to bond ionically which is much stronger than even the strongest IMFs
How are amino acids amphoteric
They have acidic and basic qualities, the carboxyl group is an acid and the amine end is basic
What is a primary protein
A chain of amino acids
What is a secondary protein
A chain of amino acids curled into shape by either hydrogen bonds or ionic bonds
What is a tertiary protein
A further coiled chain of amino acids, using more ionic bonds, disulphide bridges and hydrogen bonds to form a complex specific shape
What is a use for proteins
Enzymes
What are two amino acids together called
Dipeptide
What are a chain of amino acids called
Primary protein/Polypeptide
