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Chapter 24: Problem 59

(a) What is an \(\alpha\) -amino acid? (b) How do amino acids react to form proteins? (c) Draw the bond that links amino acids together in proteins. What is this called?

Short Answer

Expert verified
An \(\alpha\)-amino acid is an organic molecule with an amino (-NH2) group and a carboxyl (-COOH) group bonded to the same \(\alpha\)-carbon atom, which also bonds to a hydrogen atom and a unique R-group. Amino acids react to form proteins through a condensation reaction between their amino and carboxyl groups, resulting in a covalent bond called a peptide bond and releasing a water molecule. The peptide bond, represented as \(R_1-C(O)-NH-R_2\), forms between the carbonyl carbon of one amino acid's carboxyl group and the nitrogen of another amino acid's amino group.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of an α-amino acid

An \(\alpha\)-amino acid is an organic molecule containing both an amino (-NH2) group and a carboxyl (-COOH) group bonded to the same carbon atom, known as the \(\alpha\)-carbon atom. In addition to these two functional groups, the \(\alpha\)-carbon atom is also bonded to a hydrogen atom and a unique side chain (R-group). The R-group determines the specific characteristics of each amino acid.
02

Amino acids reaction to form proteins

Amino acids react to form proteins through a condensation reaction (also called a dehydration reaction) between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino acid. This reaction results in the formation of a covalent bond called a peptide bond, while releasing a water molecule.
03

Drawing the bond linking amino acids in proteins

The bond that links amino acids together in proteins is called a peptide bond. The peptide bond is formed between the carbonyl carbon (C) of one amino acid's carboxyl group and the nitrogen (N) of the other amino acid's amino group, as illustrated below: $$ R_1 - C(O) - NH - R_2 $$ Here, R1 and R2 represent the side chains of the two amino acids involved in the bond formation.
04

Naming the bond in proteins

The bond that links amino acids together in proteins is called a peptide bond.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

When samples of double-stranded DNA are analyzed, the quantity of adenine present equals that of thymine. Similarly, the quantity of guanine equals that of cytosine. Explain the significance of these observations.

Describe the intermediate that is thought to form in the addition of a hydrogen halide to an alkene, using cyclohexene as the alkene in your description.

Write the structural formulas for as many alcohols as you can think of that have empirical formula \(\mathrm{C}_{3} \mathrm{H}_{6} \mathrm{O}\).

Although carboxylic acids and alcohols both contain an \(-\mathrm{OH}\) group, one is acidic in water and the other is not. Explain the difference.

What properties of the side chains (R groups) of amino acids are important in affecting the amino acids' overall biochemical behavior? Give examples to illustrate your reply.
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