Amino acid, protein and enzymes Flashcards
(53 cards)
What is the central dogma of molecular biology theory?
Genetic information flow only in one direction - DNA -> RNA -> Protein
What are the four nitrogenous bases?
Adenine, Guanine, Cytosine, Thymine
How many nucleotides does it take to make a codon?
3
From the 64 different codons, how many different amino acids are coded for?
20
What is the structure of an amino acid?
- Carboxylic acid
- Amine group
- R-Group
- α-carbon
What is the R group?
Unique chemical and biological property of the amino acid
What is the formula of Carboxylic acid?
COOH
What is the formula for amine group?
NH2
What is a Zwitterion?
Internal transfer of H+ from the carboxylic acid to the amine
What does a zwitterion contain?
A positive and negative charge but has a net charge of 0
What is the proportion of amino acids, in their positive, negative and zwitterionic form dependent on?
pH
What is the Zwitterionic structure?
Two groups that are accepting/donating H+
What is Chiral carbon?
A carbon that is bonded to 4 different groups
What does a chiral carbon result in?
2 non-superimposable stereoisomers
What are examples of stereoisomers?
D-amino acid and L-amino acid
What are enantiomers?
D-amino acids and L-amino acids are mirror images of each other
Between D-amino acids and L-amino acids, which amino acid form proteins?
L-amino acids
What can Thalidomide be used as?
- Tranquiliser
- Treating morning sickness
What is the protein structure?
- Primary structure
- Secondary structure
- Teritary structure
- Quaternary structure
What does Aliphatic R groups features have?
- Carbon chains
- non-polar
- Hydrophobic
- Cluster together inside the protein avoiding aqueous environment -> 3D structure
What does Aromatic R groups features have?
- Double bonded carbon rings
- Non-polar
- Hydrophobic
- Cluster together inside protein -> 3D structure
What are the features in polar, uncharged R groups?
- Electronegative heteroatom (N, O or S)
- Hydrophillic (cluster on the enterior of a protein)
- Heteroatoms in hydrogen bonding with water
- Cysteine
What does Cysteine do in uncharged R groups?
Forms disulfide bridges with other cysteines
What are polar, charged R group features?
- Positive or negative charge
- Hydrophillic
- Participate in hydrogen bonding