Biochem EX1 - Amino Acids

Question 1

Which of the amino acids have aliphatic sidechains?

Answer 1

Alanine

Glycene

Valine

Leucine

Isoleucine

Proline

Question 2

Which of the amino acids have aromatic sidechains?

Answer 2

Phenylalanine

Tyrosine

Tryptophan

Question 3

Which of the amino acids are basic?

Answer 3

Lysine

Arganine

Hystidine

Question 4

Which of the amino acids are acidic?

Answer 4

Glutamate

Aspartate

Asparagine

Glutamine

Question 5

Defects in the metabolism of which amino acids lead to maple syrup urine disease?

Answer 5

Branched Chain Amino Acids

Question 6

What disorders arise from defects in the metabolism of tyrposine? Pheynylalanine?

Answer 6

Tyrosine = Albinism, Mercaptoneuria

Phenylalaline = PKU

Question 7

With respect to the amino acids we discussed, what is the cause of pellagra?

Answer 7

Lack of tryptophan in diet

Question 8

Which amino acids have hydroxyl groups on the side chains?

Which amino acids contain sulfur?

When they are in proteins, what kinds of reactions do these amino acids occassionally undergo?

Answer 8

Hydroxyl (OH) = Serine, Threonine

Sulfur (S) = Cysteine, Methionine

Reactions of -OH groups are phosphorylated
Reactions of sulfhyroxyl groups oxidize to form dulsulfide linkages.

Question 9

Which amino acids are referred to as essential?

Answer 9

Mnemonic: “Pvt. Tim Hall”

• Phenylalanine
• Valine
• Threonine
• Tryotophan
• Isoleucine
• Methionine
• Hystidine
• Alanine
• Leucine
• Lysine

Question 10

Name at least 4 types of compounds for which amino acids are the precursors.

Answer 10

Protein

Glucose

Neurotransmitters

Hormones