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Chapter 28: Problem 35

Compare the structural formulas of the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Compare also the codons for these two amino acids.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Question: Compare the structural formulas and codons of the aromatic amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine. Answer: Phenylalanine has a phenyl group (C6H5) side chain, while tyrosine has a phenol group (C6H4OH) side chain, which is a phenyl group with an additional hydroxyl group (OH). The codons for phenylalanine are UUU and UUC, while for tyrosine, they are UAU and UAC. The difference in the codons is in the second nucleotide, where phenylalanine has uracil (U) and tyrosine has adenine (A). This variation in codon sequence leads to different side chains and properties in the resulting protein.

Step by step solution

01

Define Aromatic Amino Acids

Aromatic amino acids are a subclass of amino acids that contain an aromatic side chain. These amino acids are important for both their roles in protein synthesis and as precursors for other biomolecules. The term "aromatic" refers to the presence of a ring structure in the side chain, which is the distinguishing feature of these amino acids.
02

Structural Formulas of Phenylalanine and Tyrosine

Now, let's look at the structural formulas of these two aromatic amino acids: Phenylalanine: \[\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{N-CH}\left(\mathrm{COOH}\right)-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{C}_{6}\mathrm{H}_{5}\] Tyrosine: \[\mathrm{H}_2\mathrm{N-CH}\left(\mathrm{COOH}\right)-\mathrm{CH}_{2}-\mathrm{C}_{6}\mathrm{H}_{4}-\mathrm{OH}\]
03

Compare the Structural Formulas

Comparing the structural formulas of phenylalanine and tyrosine, we can see that they both have a similar backbone, consisting of the amino group (NH2), carboxyl group (COOH), and a carbon atom between them. The difference lies in their side chains: phenylalanine has a phenyl group (C6H5) attached to its backbone, while tyrosine has a phenol group (C6H4OH), which is a phenyl group with an additional hydroxyl group (OH).
04

Define Codons

Codons are sequences of three nucleotides in DNA or RNA that specify which amino acid will be added to the growing polypeptide chain during protein synthesis. The genetic code is made up of 64 different codons, each corresponding to an amino acid or a stop signal for translation.
05

Identify the Codons for Phenylalanine and Tyrosine

The codons for phenylalanine and tyrosine are as follows: Phenylalanine: UUU and UUC Tyrosine: UAU and UAC
06

Compare the Codons for Phenylalanine and Tyrosine

Comparing the codons for phenylalanine and tyrosine, we see that they only differ in the second nucleotide. Phenylalanine codons have uracil (U) in the second position, while tyrosine codons have adenine (A) in the second position. This small change in the codon sequence leads to a change in the amino acid, resulting in a different side chain and therefore different properties for the protein.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Draw a structural formula for each nucleotide, and estimate its net charge at \(\mathrm{pH} 7.4\), the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of blood plasma. (a) \(2^{\prime}\)-Deoxyadenosine \(5^{\prime}\)-triphosphate (dATP) (b) Guanosine \(3^{\prime}\)-monophosphate (GMP) (c) \(2^{\prime}\)-Deoxyguanosine \(5^{\prime}\)-diphosphate (dGDP)

Here is a portion of the nucleotide sequence in phenylalanine tRNA. $$ \text { 3'-ACCACCUGCUCAGGCCUU-5' } $$ Write the nucleotide sequence of its DNA complement.

In terms of hydrogen bonding, which is more stable, an \(A-T\) base pair or a \(G-C\) base pair?

List the postulates of the Watson-Crick model of DNA secondary structure.

Compare the \(\alpha\)-helix of proteins and the double helix of DNA in these ways. (a) The units that repeat in the backbone of the polymer chain. (b) The projection in space of substituents along the backbone (the \(R\) groups in the case of amino acids; purine and pyrimidine bases in the case of double- stranded DNA) relative to the axis of the helix.
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