Unit 8 Flashcards
Amino acids and carbohydrates
What are essential amino acids?
Ones which our bodys cant make
What amino acid is not chiral?
Glycine
Are amino acids water soluble?
Yes
Amino acids can act as an acid or a base whats this called?
Amphoteric
What is the isoelectric point and what form do amino acids take at this point?
It is the pH when amino acids are neutral. When they are neutral they are in Zwitterionic form
What form are amino acids in when they are neutral?
Zwitterionic
What bonds are in amino acids?
Amide/peptide bonds
Why does the amide bond have c=n character?
Resonance
Where does the peptide bond form in an amino acid?
Between the carbonyl c (c=o) and the NH group
What gives amino acids high boiling points?
They can form hydrogen bonds, this is also how they coil
What is electrophoresis?
Where charged molecules move in response to an electric field. The rate in which they move depends on charge, weight, size. It can separate them out
What is an enzyme?
Biological catalyst
How do enzymes work?
They reduce the activation energy needed for a reaction
How can enzymes be denatured?
pH
Temperature
Salt concentration
What is lock and key theory?
Shape of substrate is complimentary to the active site
Enzyme substrate complex is formed
Products have different shape
Explains enzyme specificity and why activity decreases after denature
