Biochemistry-Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins Flashcards
What are Amino Acids?
Molecules that contain two functional groups: an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH)
What are alpha-amino acids?
The amino groups and the carboxyl group are bonded to the same carbon, the alpha-carbon of the carboxylic acid. Think of the alpha-carbon as the central carbon of the amino acid.
In addition ot the carboxyl group, what else is attached to the alpha carbon?
A hydrogen atom, and a side chain, also called an R group, which is specific to each amino acid. The side chains determine the properties of amino acids, and therefore their functions.
The alpha-carbon is what type of center? Thus the amino-acids are _____?
A chiral center as it has four different groups attached to it. Thus most amino acids are optically active.
What is one exception to the amino acids being optically active?
Glycine, which has a hydrogen atom as it R group. Making it achiral