Chapter 6, Problem 25RQ

Summary Introduction

To review:

The structures of amino acids whose side chains when present in the active site of enzymesparticipate in catalytic mechanisms.

Introduction:

Amino acids are the monomers of proteins. The protein molecules acquire a three-dimensional (3-D) conformation to form a folded tertiary structure, which contains an active site. They can perform the catalytic functions and are known as enzymes. The enzyme is specific to its substrate due to unique amino acids in its active site. Also, the active site structure can determine the rate of enzyme catalysis. The amino acids (present in proteins) have an amine group, a carboxyl group, one hydrogen atom, and a side chain. The side chain of certain amino acid is involved in catalytic functions.