Name the building blocks of proteins.

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
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Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
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Name the building blocks of proteins.

Expert Solution
Step 1-Introduction

Amino acid molecules have an amine (-NH2) and a carboxylic acid (-COOH) bonded to a carbon with the substituent R groups. In each amino acid molecule, the nature of elements that exist is furnished as follows: carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O). Based on the nature of the carbon atoms present in the molecule, the amino acid molecules are termed as αβγ, and δ amino acids. The formation of the peptide bond between the amino acid units provides the primary structure of the protein.

Step 2-Building blocks of proteins

Amino acids function as building blocks of proteins. The most commonly employed amino acids are named based on the nature of the alkyl groups as follows:

i) Electrically charged side chain containing amino acids

Positive charge:

Arginine (Arg)

Histidine (His)

Lysine (Lys)

Negative charge:

Aspartic acid (Asp)

Glutamic acid (Glu)

ii) Polar side chain with no charge

Serine (Ser)

Threonine (Thr)

Asparagine (Asp)

Glutamine (Glu)

iii) Hydrophobic side-chain amino acids

Alanine (Ala)

Valine (Val)

Isoleucine (IIe)

Leucine (Leu)

Methionine (Met)

Phenylalanine (Phe)

Tyrosine (Tyr)

Tryptophan (Trp)

iv) Other functional groups present in the side chain

Thiol: Cysteine (Cys)

Glycine (Gly)

Proline (Pro)

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