Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2. Classify the twenty (20) common amino acids according to their polarity and acid-
base properties (What makes the 20 common amino acids 'common'? Be sure to
be able to visualize the three-dimensional picture of the amino acids. In addition
to the four classic classifications, be sure to know which ones are large, small,
aromatic)
The 20 common amino acids share a fundamental structure consisting of an
amino group, a carboxyl group, a central carbon, and a unique side chain (R group).
Their prevalence arises from their role as protein building blocks, contributing diverse
properties based on their distinct side chains.
Threonine (Thr, T) /
Tyrosine (Tyr, Y) /
Asparagine (Asn, /
N)
Polar
Cysteine (Cys, C) /
Glutamine (Gln, /
Q)
Tryptophan (Trp, / /
W)
Phenylalanine(Ph / /
e, F)
Leucine (Leu, L) /
Isoleucine (Ile, I) /
Methionine (Met, /
M)
Proline (Pro, P) /
Glycine (Gly, G) /
Alanine (Ala, A) /
Lysine (Lys, K) /
Histidine (His, H) /
Basic
Arginine (Arg, R) /
Aspartic Acid /
(Asp, D)
Acidic
Glutamic Acid /
(Glu, E)
3. Point out some of the uncommon amino acids (What makes them uncommon?
What's the relationship between the common and the uncommon amino acids?)
Uncommon amino acids, such as selenocysteine and pyrrolysine, deviate from
the standard set of 20 amino acids found in proteins. These rare amino acids possess
unique structural components that set them apart. Selenocysteine, replacing cysteine's
sulfur atom with selenium, imparts distinct redox properties and plays a role in certain
enzymes' catalytic functions. Pyrrolysine features an extended side chain containing a
pyrroline ring, critical for specific enzymatic reactions in certain organisms.
The relationship between common and uncommon amino acids lies in their
shared biochemical context. While common amino acids form the building blocks of most
proteins, uncommon amino acids expand the repertoire of protein functions. They offer
specialized roles that common amino acids cannot fulfill, contributing to the intricacies of
biological processes. This diversity enhances the functional capabilities of proteins,
underscoring the harmonious collaboration between common and uncommon amino
acids in supporting various cellular activities and promoting evolutionary adaptability.
4. Emphasize the importance of the properties of the side-chains of the amino acids
(Be able to point out the most likely intermolecular force of attraction that each
individual amino acid would participate in)
The R-group, also known as the side-chain, is important because it establishes
the properties and identification of a certain amino acid. Additionally, it affects how
efficiently the protein binds with other amino acids and how the protein is structured. The
polarity of an amino acid is also determined by its side-chains. Hydrocarbon side chain
groups tend to be non-polar; as a result, the intermolecular force of attraction that is
present is Van Der Waals. Polar groups typically have hydrogen and covalent bondings
because of partial charges, while acidic and basic groups typically have ionic bondings
and donate or accept electrons..
5. Illustrate the acidic and the basic properties of amino acids (Be able to write the
acid-base reactions of individual amino acids. Account for the charges of the
amino acids as a function of the pH. What is the significance when the pH of the
solution is less than, equal to, or greater than the pKa of that amino acid?
Amino acids possess both acidic and basic characteristics due to their ionizable
functional groups. In solution, the carboxyl group can lose a proton to become negatively
charged (COO⁻), while the amino group can accept a proton to become positively
charged (NH₃⁺). This results in a zwitterionic form at neutral pH, where both groups are
charged, but the overall charge is neutral. The pH of the solution relative to the pKa of
an amino acid's functional groups dictates its charge state.
When the pH is lower than an amino acid's pKa, the environment is acidic. At this
point, the amino acid's carboxyl group is protonated (COOH) and the amino group is
also protonated (NH₃⁺), leading to a net positive charge. In contrast, when the pH is
higher than the pKa, the environment is basic. Here, the carboxyl group is deprotonated
(COO⁻), and the amino group is neutral (NH₂), resulting in a net negative charge.
6. Describe the nature of the peptide bond as it is formed from amino acids
A peptide bond is created when the carboxyl group (COOH) of one amino acid
bonds covalently with the amino group (NH2) of another amino acid. Thus, an amide (C-
N) bond is formed. During the reaction (the dehydration process), water is lost. The two
atoms share a single pair of electrons. Resonance structure makes it possible for the
peptide bonds (C-N) and (C=N) to hybridize and have a partial double bond character.
The peptide group that connects the two amino acids as a result is planar. This
resonance stabilization makes the peptide connection stronger than a typical single
bond.
7. Illustrate how polypeptides are formed and named (Be able to draw oligopeptides
of a specified sequence from N-terminal to C-terminal)