Biochemistry /Chemistry: 3.13 Amino Acids Part 1

Chemistry: 3.13 Amino Acids Part 1

Biochemistry40 CardsCreated 17 days ago

This deck covers key concepts related to amino acids, their properties, reactions, and techniques for separation and analysis.

What two groups do amino acids contain?

An amine group and a carboxylic acid group
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Key Terms

Term
Definition
What two groups do amino acids contain?
An amine group and a carboxylic acid group
What are the amino and carboxylic acid group attached to in alpha amino acids?
The same carbon
Why are amino acids amphoteric?
They react with acids and bases
What happens to an amino acid when it reacts with an acid?
The lone pair on the N of the NH2 group accepts a H+ ion
What happens to an amino acid when it reacts with a base?
The lone pair on the OH- of the base takes the H off to COOH group to leave COO- and H2O
What is the isoelectric point?
The pH at which the molecule has no net electrical charge

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TermDefinition
What two groups do amino acids contain?
An amine group and a carboxylic acid group
What are the amino and carboxylic acid group attached to in alpha amino acids?
The same carbon
Why are amino acids amphoteric?
They react with acids and bases
What happens to an amino acid when it reacts with an acid?
The lone pair on the N of the NH2 group accepts a H+ ion
What happens to an amino acid when it reacts with a base?
The lone pair on the OH- of the base takes the H off to COOH group to leave COO- and H2O
What is the isoelectric point?
The pH at which the molecule has no net electrical charge
What does the amino acid exist as at the isoelectric point?
A dipolar ion or zwitterion
When do zwitterions form?
When the carboxyl group of one amino acid donates a proton to the amine group of another amino acid molecule
What is the pH of a zwitterion the same as?
Its isoelectric point
How does an amino acid behave at a pH that is lower than its isoelectric point?
As a base and accepts H+ ions
How does an amino acid behave at a pH that is higher than its isoelectric point?
As an acid and donates H+ ions
What is the structure of an amino acid?
Crystalline solids
What do amino acids have as a result of their crystalline structure?
Relatively high melting points
What do zwitterions form with each other that require a lot of energy to break?
Ionic bonds
What do amino acids dissolve well in?
Water
What do amino acids dissolve poorly in?
Non-polar solvents
Why do amino acids dissolve readily in polar solvents?
The zwitterions react with polar solvent molecules
What is a peptide?
A compound made of amino acids joined by peptide links
How are peptide links formed?
In a condensation reaction between amino acids
What is removed in a condensation reaction between amino acids?
Water
What are the remains of an amino acid after a condensation reaction called?
An amino acid residue

How can two different amino acids join together?

in two different ways to give two different dipeptides

eg alanine and glycine- ALAGLY/GLYALA

In what conditions can peptides be hydrolysed under?
Acidic or alkaline
Acid hydrolysis: reagents:
Dilute acid
Acid hydrolysis: conditions:
Heat and reflux
Acid hydrolysis: products
Amino acids but with NH3+ group
Alkaline hydrolysis: reagents:
Dilute alkali
Alkaline hydrolysis: conditions:
Heat and reflux
Alkaline hydrolysis: products
Amino acids but with COO- group
What does the structure of the products in acid and alkali hydrolysis depend on?
The pH of the hydrolysis mixture
How can the mixture of amino acids be separated after hydrolysis?
TLC
What do different amino acids have?
Different sidechains
What is chosen to separate the amino acids in TLC?
A suitable stationary phase
How can separated amino acids be seen in TLC?
If plate is sprayed with ninhydrin
When can 2D TLC be used to separate amino acids?
If the two amino acids have very similar Rf values in a particular solvent
2D TLC: what shape is the plate that's used?
Square
2D TLC: where is the mixture spotted?
In one corner and a chromatogram is run in the usual way so spots are separated along one edge of the plate
2D TLC: how many degrees is plate turned?
Through 90 degrees
2D TLC: what happens after TLC plate has been turned 90 degrees?
The chromatogram is run again with a different solvent
What does 2D TLC give?
2 Rf values for each spot (one for each solvent)