CH30 AA, Proteins and DNA Flashcards
Functional groups of amino acids
NH2 and COOH
How many naturally occurring AA are there in the body
20
What type of AA are found in the body
alpha-AA
NH2 is always on the carbon next to COOH
Why are alpha-AA chiral
One carbon has 4 different substituents
Which enantiomer do alpha-AA exist as in nature
-ve enantiomer
How can amino acids be synthesised industrially
RCHO + NH4CN –> RCH(NH2)CN via nucleophilic addition
RCH(NH2)CN + HCl + 2H2O –> RCH(NH2)COOH + NH4Cl (hydrolysis, dilute HCl)
Need to reflux the reaction mixture
Is the product from AA being synthesised naturally optically active - why
No - racemic mixture formed as CN- can attack from above and below planar C=O bond with equal likelihood
In what form do AA exist as solids
Zwitterions (ionic lattice) - High MP and BP
What colour solids are most zwitterions at RT
White
Do zwitterions dissolve in water - why
Yes - contain polar bonds
Define zwitterion
Ions which have both a permanent positive and negative charge, but are neutral overall
How do zwitterions occur in AA
COOH deprotonated - COO-
NH2 protonated - NH3+
What happens to AA in acidic conditions
Gains proton on NH2 group
What happens to AA in alkaline conditions
Loses a proton from COOH group
What is the peptide linkage
- CONH-
- C-N-
- C=O
- N-H
What is a dipeptide
2 amino acids bonded together
Name given to chains of AA up to 50 AA
Polypeptides
Name given to chains of AA with more than 50
AA
Proteins
What are polypeptides and proteins found in
Enzymes
Wool
Hair
Muscles
Process by which polypeptides and proteins are broken down
Hydrolysis
Conditions needed for hydrolysis
6 mol dm-3 HCl
Reflux for 24 hours
What is primary structure of a protein - how is it bonded
Sequence of AA along the protein chain
Bonded by covalent bonds
How is primary structure represented
Sequence of 3 letter abbreviations of AA
How can primary structure of protein be broken up
Hydrolysis
6M HCl
24 hour reflux
What is secondary structure of a protein
The shape of a protein chain
2 options for secondary structure
alpha-helix
beta-pleated sheets
How is secondary structure held together
H bonding
Between C=O and N-H groups
What is the tertiary shape of a protein
Alpha-helix or beta-pleated sheet folded into a complex 3D shape