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ESA 1 - Medical Cell Biology & Genetics > Session 4.1d - Pre-Reading [Introduction to the Classification of Amino Acids] > Flashcards

Session 4.1d - Pre-Reading [Introduction to the Classification of Amino Acids] Flashcards

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPAvXQsPCqQ

1
Q

How do amino acids in the body differ from each other?

A

They each have their own unique side chain, making them distinctly different from the amino acid next to them.

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2
Q

How are SOME amino acids similar to each other?

A

In the chemical properties of their side chains, which allows us to group them together into various categories.

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3
Q

What is the amino acid classroom analogy?

A

Each amino acid is unique because of their individual side chains. This is just like kids in a classroom - everybody is unique.

However some children are more similar to each other than others, and this is represented as some amino acids have more similar chemical properties to one another than others; allowing them to be grouped into categories.

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4
Q

What are the chemical properties of amino acids that can be conferred?

A

Of the side chain:

  • Charge
  • H bonding ability (whether they can undergo hydrogen bonding)
  • Acidic vs basic
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5
Q

What are the two main groups amino acids can be split into?

A

Non-Polar

Polar

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6
Q

What are the chemical properties of non-polar amino acids?

A

They are hydrophobic (water-fearing).

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7
Q

Hydrophobic amino acids are non-polar or polar?

A

Non-polar.

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8
Q

What does hydrophobic mean?

A

‘Water-fearing’

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9
Q

What are the chemical properties of polar amino acids?

A

They are hydrophilic (water-loving).

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10
Q

Hydrophilic amino acids are non-polar or polar?

A

Polar

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11
Q

What does hydrophilic mean?

A

‘Water-loving’

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12
Q

What is the relationship between non-polar amino acids and water?

A

They do not interact with water (they are “H2O Haterz”) and would rather interact with themselves - hydrophobic

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13
Q

What is the relationship between polar amino acids and water?

A

They are open and welcoming to interacting with water (they are “H2O Lovers”) - hydrophilic

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14
Q

What types of side chains can you find in non-polar, hydrophobic amino acids?

A

Alkyl

Aromatic

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15
Q

What types of side chains can you find in polar, hydrophilic amino acids?

A

Neutral
Acidic
Basic

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16
Q

Alkyl and aromatic side chains are found in _____ amino acids?

A

Non-polar, hydrophobic

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17
Q

Neutral, acidic and basic side chains are found in _____ amino acids?

A

Polar, hydrophilic

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18
Q

Which amino acids have alkyl side chains?

A

7

  • Glycine (H) (exception but behaves similarly)
  • Alanine (1 carbon)
  • Valine (2 carbons)
  • Methionine (S but this is bound)
  • Leucine (3 carbons)
  • Isoleucine (3 carbons; isomer of leucine)
  • Proline (ring)
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19
Q

What is the difference with proline and other amino acids?

A

Its side chain forms a ringed structure with the amino group in the backbone of the molecule.

20
Q

What is glycine’s side chain?

A

H

21
Q

Glycine only has a H atom as its side chain, yet is still grouped in with other alkyl side chain amino acids. Why?

A

It behaves similarly to the rest of the amino acids in this group.

22
Q

What chemical properties does an amino acid with an alkyl group side chain have?

A

They are NON-POLAR and (therefore) HYDROPHOBIC

23
Q

Which amino acids have aromatic side chains?

A

Phenylalanine (1 ring)

Tryptophan (2 rings)

24
Q

Why are alkyl side chain amino acids non-polar/hydrophobic?

A

Because they are made up of just Carbons and Hydrogens (except methionine but the sulfur in this is already fully bonded)

25
Q

What chemical properties does an amino acid with an aromatic group side chain have?

A

They are NON-POLAR and HYDROPHOBIC

26
Q

Why are alkyl and aromatic side chains non-polar and hydrophobic?

A

Because they are made up of just Carbons and Hydrogens (except methionine but the sulfur in this is already fully bonded)

27
Q

Why are aromatic side chains non-polar and hydrophobic?

A

Because they are just made up of Carbons and Hydrogens

28
Q

What compounds, other than amino acids, contain aromatic rings?

A

Herbs and spices e.g.

  • basil
  • cinnamon
  • vanilla

aromatic = smell

29
Q

Which are the polar amino acids that are neutral?

A

6

  • Serine (1C, OH)
  • Threonine (2C, OH)
  • Asparagine (2C, ONH2)
  • Glutamine (3C, ONH2)
  • Cysteine (1C, SH)
  • Tyrosine (benzene, OH)
30
Q

What do polar, neutral amino acids all contain?

A

An oxygen or sulfur atom

31
Q

Why does the presence of an oxygen or sulfur atom make an amino acid polar?

A

The oxygen/sulfur atom tends to hog all the electrons around them to create a localised NEGATIVE charge over that atom and a POSITIVE charge over the rest of the side chain

32
Q

Where in the side chain do the positive and negative charges of polar neutral amino acids occur?

A

There is a localised negative charge at the oxygen or sulfur atom, and a positive charge over the rest of the side chain

33
Q

Why can polar, neutral amino acids interact with water?

A

The oxygen/sulfur atom in their side chains takes electrons, creating a localised NEGATIVE charge over that atom and a POSITIVE charge over the rest of the side chain.

Water is polar in the same way and therefore the two can react.

34
Q

Why are the polar, neutral amino acids considered neutral?

A

Although they are polar enough to interact with water they are not strongly polar enough to be considered an acid or base.

35
Q

Which are the two polar, acidic amino acids?

A

Aspartic acid - (1C, COOH)

Glutamic acid - (2C, COOH)

36
Q

What do the polar, acidic amino acids have as part of their side chain?

A

A carboxylic acid (-COOH)

37
Q

Which group of amino acids have a carboxylic acid (-COOH) as part of their side chain?

A

Polar, acidic amino acids.

38
Q

Which group of amino acids have just carbons and hydrogens as part of their side chains?

A

Alkyl (straight chain)
and
Aromatics (ring structure)

39
Q

What are the properties of a carboxylic acid (-COOH) which makes it acidic?

A

They are very willing, strong, hydrogen donors.

40
Q

Give a specific example of a chemical group that is a willing, strong, hydrogen donor and identify which class this belongs in.

A 
Carboxylic acid (-COOH)
- Acids
41
Q

When carboxylic acids donate their hydrogens, they are left in an _____ form (describe their electrical charge)

A

Anion form

42
Q

The anionic form of acidic polar amino acids are known as what?

A

Aspartate and glutamate (from aspartic acid and glutamic acid, respectively)

43
Q

When do we call an amino acid aspartate/glutamate and aspartic acid/glutamic acid?

A

Aspartic acid/glutamic acid - COOH (fully protonated)

Aspartate/glutamate - COO- (donated hydrogen, anionic form)

44
Q

What are the polar, basic amino acids?

A

Histidine
Lysine
Arginine

45
Q

What do basic amino acids have in common?

A

Their side chains contain nitrogen

46
Q

What are the chemical properties of nitrogen which makes it basic?

A

It is a willing proton acceptor

ESA 1 - Medical Cell Biology & Genetics (21 decks)

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