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Chapter 18: Problem 29

In an amino acid, a carbon atom bound directly to the carbonyl carbon of the acid function is called the alpha carbon \((\alpha\) -carbon \() .\) Draw glycine, point out the \(\alpha\) -carbon, and then explain why all 20 amino acids used to build human proteins are called \(\alpha\) -amino acids. Then draw the simplest \(\beta\) -amino acid.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Glycine, the simplest amino acid, has the structure \(NH_{2}-CH_{2}-COOH\). The alpha carbon (\(\alpha\)-carbon) is the central carbon atom bonded to the amino group, carboxyl group, and two hydrogen atoms. All 20 amino acids used in building human proteins are called \(\alpha\)-amino acids because their amino group is attached to the \(\alpha\)-carbon. The simplest \(\beta\)-amino acid, beta-alanine, has the structure \(H_{2}N-CH_{2}-CH_{2}-COOH\), with the amino group bonded to the second carbon atom in the chain.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the structure of an amino acid

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and consist of a central carbon atom, also known as the alpha carbon, bonded to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a distinctive side chain (R group).
02

Drawing glycine and identifying the alpha carbon

Glycine is the simplest amino acid and has the formula NH2-CH2-COOH. Its structure can be drawn as follows: \[H_{2}N-CH_{2}-COOH\] In this structure, the alpha carbon is represented by the central carbon atom (C) bonded to the amino group, the carboxyl group, and two hydrogen atoms.
03

Explaining why all 20 amino acids are considered alpha-amino acids

All 20 amino acids used in building human proteins are referred to as alpha-amino acids because their amino group is attached to the alpha carbon, which is the carbon next to the carboxyl carbon. The alpha carbon is a key structural feature of amino acids and is crucial for forming peptide bonds that link amino acids together in proteins.
04

Drawing the simplest beta-amino acid

The simplest beta-amino acid, known as beta-alanine, has the amino group bonded on the carbon next to the alpha carbon. Its structure can be drawn as follows: \[H_{2}N-CH_{2}-CH_{2}-COOH\] In this structure, the beta carbon is represented by the second carbon atom (C) in the chain, bonded to the amino group, a hydrogen atom, and another carbon atom attached to the carboxyl group.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

What is an amide bond? Show an amide bond between dimethylamine and acetic acid chloride.

What are some of the functions of proteins in living organisms?

What is a monomer? How does a monomer unit differ from a monomer? Give an example of each.

If a functional group A forms a strong covalent bond with a functional group B, (a) Can the monomers \(\mathrm{A}-\mathrm{xx}-\mathrm{B}\) and \(\mathrm{A}-\mathrm{xx}-\mathrm{B}\) form a polymer? (b) Can the monomers \(\mathrm{A}-\mathrm{xx}-\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{B}-\mathrm{xx}-\mathrm{B}\) form a polymer? For each "yes" answer, draw a short segment of the polymer and indicate the monomer unit.

Protein molecules are usually quite large and yet often water-soluble. They are soluble in water because they can fold themselves into spherical shapes in which the polar (hydrophilic) side chains are on the surface and the nonpolar (hydrophobic) side chains are buried inside the sphere. Of the amino acids Ala, Ser, Phe, lle, Arg, and Asp, (a) Which would you expect to find on the surface of a water-soluble protein? (b) Which would you expect to find buried deep inside the protein structure? (c) Which might be in either location depending on the solution pH?
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