Question | Answer |
What is the general formula for amino acids? | RCH(NH2)COOH |
Which is the simplest amino acid? | glycine |
What is a zwitterion? | A dipolar ionic form of the amino acid caused by the internal transfer of a hydrogen ion |
What is the isoelectric point? | The pH at which there is no net electric charge |
Are the isoelectric points at pH 7? | No, every amino acid has its own isoelectric point |
What causes the different isoelectric points? | The R group |
What does amphoteric mean? | They can react with both acids and bases |
How does the amino acid behave when at a pH that is more acidic than the isoelectric point? | It behaves as a base and accepts a proton to form a positive ion |
How does the amino acid behave when at a pH that is more alkaline than the isoelectric point? | It behaves as an acid and donates a proton to form a negative ion |
If the isoelectric point is pH 6.5 and the amino acid is at pH 1, how does it behave? | As a base |
Which molecules are amino acids used to make? | Peptides and proteins |
How many amino acids does the body use to assemble proteins? | 20 |
Which reaction joins amino acids? | Condensation |
Which bond joins amino acids? | Amide or peptide link |
What is eliminated during condensation? | Water |
What is a protein? | A long chain of amino acids |
How are proteins broken down? | Hydrolysis |
How many types of hydrolysis are there? | 2 |
What are the conditions for acid hydrolysis? | Heat under reflux with 6moldm-3 HCl for 24 hours |
What are the conditions for alkaline hydrolysis? | Aqueous sodium hydroxide at 100 C |
What are the products of alkaline hydrolysis? | Carboxylate salts |
What form of isomerism do amino acids show? | Optical isomerism |
What is a chiral carbon? | A carbon atom attached to 4 different groups |