Biochemistry of Amino Acids

Quaternary structure

• polypeptide chains

• monosaccharides

• fatty acids

• nucleotides

Hydrophobic interactions

• side chains avoid water

• side chains attract water

• side chains are neutral to water

• side chains dissolve in water

Amino acids

• building blocks of carbohydrates

• blocks of proteins

• components of nucleic acids

• vitamins for metabolism

Non-essential amino acids

• must be obtained from the diet

• be synthesized by the body

• are not important for health

• are only found in animal products

pH effect

• amino acid ionization

• protein denaturation

• enzyme activity

• lipid solubility

Zwitterion

• A molecule with only positive charges

• A molecule with only negative charges

• A molecule with both positive and negative charges

• A molecule that is neutral overall

Disulfide bonds

• bonds between cysteines

• ionic bonds between lysines

• hydrogen bonds between serines

• peptide bonds between alanines

Denaturation

• of protein structure

• of carbohydrate structure

• of lipid structure

• of nucleic acid structure

Essential amino acids

• can be synthesized by the body

• must be obtained from the diet

• are produced in excess by the body

• are not necessary for health

Secondary structure

• helices and beta sheets

• random coils and loops

• alpha and gamma structures

• folded domains