Chapter 18, Problem 18.104CP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Amino acid that can replace glutamate that causes least disruption to the hemoglobin structure has to be identified.

Concept introduction:

Many amino acids are linked together through amide bonds to form a biologically large molecule known to be proteins.

Amino functional group is $(-N{H}_2)$ and carboxyl functional group is $(-COOH)$ and a $R$ group is considered as side chain, when all these are bonded to same carbon atom.

Sickle-cell anemia is a hereditary disease caused by genetic difference that replaces one amino acid (glutamate) with another in each of the two polypeptide chains of the hemoglobin.