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5: Amino Acid Structure, Function

  • Page ID
    6095
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    I. external link: alpha amino acids - 20 different ones are used in protein synthesis. The properties page also links to external link: 3-D structure views..

    II. Amino acid charge

    III. pI = isoelectric point = the pH at which the net charge of a particular compound is zero.

    IV. Peptide bond between amino acids.

    The reverse of the pictured reaction is actually strongly energetically favorable, but the high activation energy makes peptide bonds stable under normal conditions.
    2000px-AminoacidCondensation.svg.jpg
    The formation of the peptide bond eliminates the acid/base properties of the involved alpha carboxyl and alpha amino groups. Chains of amino acids connected by peptide bonds are called "peptides", "oligopeptides" or "polypeptides" depending on length. Short peptides can include their length in the name, e. g.: dipeptide, tripeptide, tetrapeptide, pentapeptide, etc.
    Note that the chains have directionality. One end will have an amino group - and this is referred to as the "amino terminus" or "N-terminus". The other end will have a carboxyl group and is called the "carboxyl terminus" or "C-terminus".

    IV. Amino acid separation.

    A. Acid hydrolysis at high temperature and pressure.

    (note: also hydrolyses side chain peptide/amide bonds in asparagine and glutamine to produce aspartate and glutamate)

    B. Ion exchange chromatography.(external link: here is one schematic animation of the method)

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    5: Amino Acid Structure, Function is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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