LEC2: Amino Acids and Proteins Flashcards
explain the naming of carbons in amino acid side chains
named using Greek letters
alpha-carbon is carbon bound to amino and carboxyl groups of amino acid
beta-carbon is next, etc
lysine here

which conformation of optical isomer of proteins are mostly seen in humans?
L-conformation, not D
D mostly found in bacteria
how are amino acids classified?
by their R groups (aka side chains)
name the nonpolar/hydrophobic amino acids
Glycine
Alanine
Valine
Leucine
Isoleucine
Phenylalanine
Troptophan
Methionine
Proline
Cysteine (can be nonpolar or polar)
(9 or 10)
name the uncharged polar amino acids
which are alcohols? which are amides?
Alcohols: Serine, Threonine, Tyrosine
Amides: Asparagine, Glutamine
Cysteine (can be nonpolar or uncharged polar)
Which amino acids can be phosphorylated? How?
serine, threonine, tyrosine
contain a hydroxyl group, can be replaced by a phosphoryl group
phosphorylation of an amino acid in a protein > alters protein’s activity or transmits a signal
do non-polar amino acids react w/ water?
no
do polar side chain amino acids react w/ water? how?
yes
side chain can form H-bond w/ water or other groups
where are polar side chain amino acids often found?
the surface of proteins
what happens in a H-bond?
2 electronegative atoms share an e-
what is unique about cysteine?
can be described as either hydrophobic or polar
has an SH group
in environment of an oxidant, cysteine interacts w/ other cysteines, forms **disulfide bridge, **a covalent interaction

glycine
G
Gly
non-polar

Alanine
Ala
A
non-polar

Valine
Val
V
non-polar

Leucine
Leu
L
non-polar

Isoleucine
Ile
I
non-polar

Phenylalanine
Phe
F
non-polar

Tryptophan
Trp
W
non-polar

Methionine
Met
M
non-polar

Proline
Pro
P
non-polar
side chain is covalently attached to amine group, forming a rigid, not aromatic, ring > limits conformaitons proline can adopt in nature

Serine
Ser
S
polar, alcohol

Tyrosine
Tyr
Y
polar, alcohol

Threonine
Thr
T
polar, alcohol

Asparagine
Asn
N
polar, amide

















