Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY Department of Natural Sciences

Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Amino Acids and Polypeptides

ACTIVITY NO.____
First Semester, S.Y. 2023 – 202

Introduction
Our cells' proteins are made up of one or more polypeptide chains. Each of these polypeptide
chains is composed of amino acids that have been linked together in a specific order. A polypeptide is
similar to a long word "spelled out" in amino acid letters. The chemical properties and order of the
amino acids play an important role in determining the structure and function of the polypeptide and
the protein it belongs to.
A polypeptide's amino acids are joined together by covalent bonds known as peptide bonds
(Figure 1). Each bond is formed as a result of a dehydration synthesis (condensation) reaction. The
carboxyl group of the amino acid at the end of the growing polypeptide chain reacts with the amino
group of an incoming amino acid during protein synthesis.

Figure 1. The Peptide Bond

I. Objectives:
At the end of this activity, you should be able to:
1. Draw the structures of the amino acids
2. Determine the peptide bonds and side chains (-R group) in an amino acid chain, and
3. Draw a polypeptide using line or condensed structures.

II. Materials
 List of common amino acids
 Pencils or Chem Ultra Application
1
III. Procedures
General Instructions
1. Using pen and paper draw the structure of the amino acid sequence, using dashed lines for
hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl group and the amino group.
2. Draw the amino acid sequence (polypeptide) using dashed lines for the peptide bond.
3. Enclose the side chains of the amino acids included in the polypeptide.
4. Provide the name, the three-letter code and one letter code of the polypeptides.

IV. Results and Discussion

Amino acid chain 1

Proline-Alanine-Serine-Serine-Glutamic Acid-Aspartic Acid

Polypeptide Structure:

Name of Polypeptide: ______________________________________________________________

Three-letter code: ____________
One-letter code: ____________

Amino Acid Chain 2

Methionine-Isoleucine-Glycine-Tyrosine-Leucine-Lysine

Polypeptide Structure:

Name of Polypeptide: ______________________________________________________________

Three-letter code: ____________
One-letter code: ____________
2
Amino acid chain 3
Amino Acid Chain 2
Valine-Alanine-Isoleucine-Leusine-Threonine-Tryptophan

Polypeptide Structure:

Name of Polypeptide: ______________________________________________________________

Three-letter code: ____________
One-letter code: ____________

Discussion Questions:
1. Describe the formation of water molecule for every peptide bond.

2. How many amino acids are linked to form a protein?

3. What are the implications of an error in an amino acid sequence?

4. Discuss the function of proteins in living organisms.

Generalization:

**Attach this document in your lab report.