Chapter 30 - Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA Flashcards
What is a zwitterion?
It is an amino acid where the carboxyl group has released its proton, increasing acidity of the solution however the amine group has accepted a proton, resulting in both a positive and negative charge on the amino acid
In which conditions will either only the carboxyl group or amino group have a charge?
In acidic conditions the amine group will have a positive charge because it accepted a proton to reduce the acidity of the solution
In alkaline conditions only the carboxyl group will have a charge because it released its H+ ion to try and increase the acidity of the solution
What is a protein?
A sequence (or polymer) of amino acids bonded together with peptide bonds
Why are hydrogen bonds and sulfur-sulfur bonds so important in proteins?
Because they contribute a massive amount to the secondary and tertiary folding patterns (hydrogen bonds) or just the tertiary folding pattern (S-S) resulting in a large amount of the functionality of the protein
How can amino acids be released from proteins?
Via hydrolysis
How can amino acids be indentified?
Typically with Thin Layer Chromatography, where they have different Rf values based on their R groups, which identify them. They need to be located on the paper using ninhydrin or ultraviolet light however
What do enzymes act as in biological systems and why? (Looking for a chemistry specific term)
Enzymes act as catalysts in biological systems, and are proteins. They have stereospecific active sites which bind to substrate molecules
How can drugs affect enzymes?
They can inhibit enzymes by blocking the active site
How can certain drugs specific to certain enzymes be produced or developed?
Using computers
What is a nucleotide?
A nucleotide is the monomer of DNA, consisting of a phosphate ion, a 2-deoxyribose sugar and one of the four nitrogenous bases
What does the backbone of one DNA molecule consist of ?
It is the phosphate groups bonded to other deoxyribose sugars from other nucleotides, resulting in sugar-phosphate-sugar-phosphate polymer chains with bases attached to the sugars in the chain
How do DNA molecules exist in cells?
As double stranded-helix where the bases are complementary (C - G and A - T) and form double helices
What is cisplatin?
A complex with a platinum(II) ion bonded to two chlorine molecules and two ammonia molcules, and is used as an anti-cancer drug?
How does cisplatin work?
It prevents DNA replication by undergoing ligand substitution with water, and then with DNA (the nitrogen atom in guanine)and bonding to DNA preventing it from being replicated
What are the negatives of cisplatin?
It can prevent the cell replication of helathy, non-cancerous cells which is detrimental to the health of the human
