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10 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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How many unique amino acids exist? |
20 |
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The structure & function of proteins is based on what? |
The amino acids which comprise it, and their order |
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What distinguishes one amino acid from another? |
The side chain attached to the alpha carbon |
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The alpha carbon is _______. |
Chiral |
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Why can polypeptide chains form in a number of configurations? |
Because each amino acid (except glycine) has a chiral carbon (alpha carbon) which can rotate freely |
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What amino acid is unique in its optical activity? |
Glycine-- its alpha carbon is not chiral because its side chain is only an H |
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What is the difference in the Fischer projections of L-amino acids and D-amino acids? |
In L-amino acids, the NH2 group is on the left, whereas in D-amino acids, the NH2 group is on the right |
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L- and D-amino acids are _________ of one another. |
Enantiomer |
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What type of amino acids are found within the human body? |
L-amino acids only |
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Where are D-amino acids found in the human body? |
They are not-- L-amino acids only |
