Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

1. Biochemistry > Introduction to Amino Acids > Flashcards

Introduction to Amino Acids Flashcards

1
Q

What are proteins?

A

Proteins are macromolecules made up of a chain of amino acids joined by peptide bonds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How are proteins made?

A

Made by the transcription of DNA to RNA and then translation of RNA to protein

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How are dietary proteins broken down?

A

They are broken down by proteases (pepsin) and hydrochloric acid in the stomach

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Give three uses of amino acids.

A

Production of hormones

Production of enzymes

Production of proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are amino acids?

A

The building blocks of proteins

An amine group
A carboxylic acid group
A variable group (R)
And a hydrogen all bonded to a single carbon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What is an amine group?

A

NH2

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is a carboxylic acid group?

A

COOH (where C=O and C-OH)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

How can the bonds between amino acids be broken?

A

Broken via acid or enzyme action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How would you describe the shape of amino acids?

A

Tetrahedral structures

Carbon at the centre with four bonds stretching out at the furthest angle from each other

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

In general what are the two different ways amino acids can be configured?

A

L amino acids (Left-handed)

D amino acids (Right-handed)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

In relation to its configuration, how does glycine compare to all the other amino acids?

A

Glycine is the only amino acid that is not a stereoisomer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a steriosomer?

A

A molecule that are mirror images of their structure

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Explain what is meant by L and D amino acids.

A

L and D refers to whether or not the configuration of an amino acid is the left mirror image or the right mirror image of an amino acid

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

In general, where are L amino acids made?

A

They are manufactured in cells

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are L amino acids generally used for?

A

The are generally incorporated into proteins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Where are D amino acids generally found?

A

In the cell wall of bacteria

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Define essential amino acids.

2

A

Amino acids that cannot be produced by the body

They must be acquired via dietary or supplementary means

18
Q

Define conditionally non-essential amino acids.

A

Amino acids produced by the body but in lower amounts and outside supplementation may be required e.g. in case of pregnancy

19
Q

Define non-essential amino acids.

A

Amino acids that can be produced by the body and therefore not required via dietary or supplementary means

20
Q

List some of the essential amino acids.

4

A

Leucine
Isoleucine
Phenylalanine
Tryptophan

21
Q

List the four non-essential amino acids.

A

Alanine
Asparatate
Cysteine
Glutamate

22
Q

List some conditionally non-essential amino acids.

A

Asparagine
Glycine
Glutamine
Tyrosine

23
Q

What are the three ways to classify amino acids?

A

On the basis of R group

On the basis of nutrition

On the basis of catabolism

24
Q

How can amino acids be classified according to their R group?
(4)

A

Hydrophobic

Hydrophilic

Acidic

Basic

25
Q

How can amino acids be classified on the basis of nutrition?
(3)

A

Essential

Conditionally non essential

Non essential

26
Q

How can amino acids be classified on the basis of catabolism?
(3)

A

Glucogenic

Ketogenic

Both Glucogenic and Ketogenic

27
Q

Where are most hydrophobic amino acids found?

A

Most are found buried within the core of a protein structure

28
Q

Where are most hydrophilic amino acids found?

A

Most are found on the outside of a protein structure

29
Q

What can hydrophobic amino acids also be called?

A

Polar amino acids

30
Q

What can hydrophilic amino acids also be called?

A

Non polar amino acids

31
Q

Give four examples of hydrophobic amino acids.

A

Phenylalanine
Tryptophan
Leucine
Isoleucine

32
Q

Give four examples of hydrophilic amino acids/

A

Asparagine
Glutamine
Tyrosine
Cysteine

33
Q

How do you know if an amino acid is hydrophilic or hydrophobic?

A

Hydrophilic amino acids will have an electronegative atom such as O, S or N as part of their variable group

Hydrophobic amino acids will have only carbons and hydrogens as part of their variable group

34
Q

List two acidic amino acids.

A

Aspartic acid

Glutamic acid

35
Q

How do you know if an amino acid is acidic?

A

The presence of O-

COO-

36
Q

List three basic amino acids.

A

Lysine
Arginine
Histidine

37
Q

How do you know if an amino acid is basic?

A

The presence of a nitrogen, hydrogen molecule with an overall positive charge

38
Q

What are glucogenic amino acids?

A

Amino acids that can be converted into glucose

39
Q

What are ketogenic amino acids?

A

Amino acids that can be degraded directly into acetyl-CoA

40
Q

List the only two ketogenic amino acids.

A

Leucine

Lysine

1. Biochemistry (6 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions