Intro to Amino Acids and Proteins Flashcards
What is the primary structure of proteins?
The sequence of amino acids (chain)
What is the center carbon of an amino acid called?
Alpha carbon
Carbons that are bonded to 4 different substituent groups are called what?
Chiral or assymetric
The alpha carbon is chiral in all amino acids except which one?
Glycine
Where are the D-amino acids found?
Usually in the cell walls of bacteria - they are an exception to the rule
What are the naturally occurring amino acids?
L-amino acids
What is a Zwitterion?
Has no overall charge, but regions with positive and negative charges
What are the 9 essential amino acids?
Histidine Isoleucine Leucine Methionine Phenylalanine Threonine Tryptophan Valine Lysine
What are the 7 conditionally non-essential amino acids?
Arginine Asparagine Glutamine Glycine Proline Serine Tyrosine
What are the 4 non-essential amino acids?
Alanine
Aspartate
Cysteine
Glutamate
When are conditionally non-essential amino acids required?
- Certain stages of growth
- Needed by some people who cannot synthesize them due to a genetic or medical condition
How many nonpolar, aliphatic amino acids are there?
7
How many polar, uncharged amino acids are there?
5
How many aromatic amino acids are there?
3
How many positively charged (basic) amino acids are there?
3
How many negatively charged (acidic) amino acids are there?
2
What are the 7 nonpolar, aliphatic amino acids?
Glycine (Gly, G) Alanine (Ala, A) Proline (Pro, P) Leucine (leu, L) Isoleucine (Ile, I) Valine (Val, V) Methionine (Met, M)