Biochem Flashcards
(270 cards)
Which amino acid has an R absolute configuration and why?
Cysteine, because the -CH2SH group has priority over -COOH group
Still is an L amino acid
Which amino acids have alkyl side chains?
Alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine
Which amino acids have amide side chains?
Asparagine and Glutamine (polar)
What is the effect of a point mutation changing E -> Y?
E = glutamate Y = tyrosine
Acidic side chain to aromatic side chain
What is the effect of a point mutation changing D -> K?
D = aspartate K = lysine
Acidic to basic side chain
At pH 7, what will be the protonation status of amino acids?
Carboxylate group unprotonated
(-COO-)
Amino group protonated (-NH3+)
What is the approximate pI of aspartate if pKa1=1.88, pKa2=3.65, and pKa3=9.60?
Aspartate is acidic so
pI = (pKa, R + pKa, COOH) / 2
Because acidic amino acids have 2 COOH groups that are deprotonated before NH3+
(1.88+3.65)/2 ~ (2+4)/2 ~ 3 (2.77)
Acidic side chains have low pI
What is the pI of arginine if pKa1=2.17, pKa2=9.04, pKa3=12.48?
Arginine is basic, extra amino group (+2 when fully protonated)
pI = (pKa, NH3+ + pKa, R) / 2
(9.04 + 12.48) / 2 ~ (9 + 13) / 2 ~ 11 (10.76)
Basic side chains have high pI
Explain the reason for the partial double bond character of the C-N amide bond in the peptide bond
Amide groups have delocalized pi electrons in carbonyl
Amino nitrogen has lone pair
Thus, resonance
At pH 7, the charge on glutamate is
-1
Both carboxyl groups are deprotonated
Which amino acid is most likely to be found in the transmembrane portion of an alpha helix?
- Lysine
- glutamate
- aspartate
- phenylalanine
Phenylalanine- has hydrophobic side chain (benzene ring)
True or false: bases can catalyze peptide bond hydrolysis
TRUE
In an oxidation reduction reaction, what is the role of the reductant?
Reductants donate electrons
Oxidants accept electrons
What class of enzyme are kinases, and what is the major function of this class?
Kinases are transferases, which catalyze functional group transfer
What reaction does aminotransferase catalyze?
Transfer of amino group from aspartate to alpha-ketoglutarate
Aspartate becomes glutamate, alpha-ketoglutarate becomes oxaloacetate
What class of enzyme are phosphatases and nucleases?
Hydrolases
What class of enzyme catalyzes conversion of ATP to cyclic AMP and Pi?
Lyase- cleavage of single molecule into 2, does not require water
Synthases are a more specific term for what class of enzyme?
Lyases- catalyze cleave of single molecule into two products, but also small synthesis reactions (then called synthases)
Can isomerases catalyze reactions between stereoisomers or constitutional isomers or both?
Both: isomerases catalyze bond rearrangement
What class of enzymes catalyze large synthesis reactions, often requiring ATP?
Ligases
What are the x and y axes of the Mechaelis-Menten plot?
Y axis: v, reaction velocity
X axis: [S], substrate concentration
Where is the Km of an enzyme found on the Michaelis-Menten plot?
Find the 1/2Vmax, then find the value on the x-axis directly below ([S])
What is the Michaelis- Menten equation?
v = Vmax [S]
————
Km + [S]
Finish this sentence: at 1/2Vmax in MM kinematics, Km =
At 1/2Vmax, Km=[S]