Amino Acid Classes Flashcards

Nonpolar Amino Acids

• Alanine (A): A nonpolar amino acid, often used in protein synthesis.
• Valine (V): Known for its branched-chain structure, also nonpolar.
• Leucine (L): Important for muscle protein synthesis, classified as nonpolar.
• Isoleucine (I): Another branched-chain nonpolar amino acid that supports energy regulation.
• Methionine (M): Contains sulfur; crucial for initiating protein synthesis, nonpolar.
• Phenylalanine (F): A precursor to neurotransmitters, recognized as nonpolar.
• Tryptophan (W): Vital for serotonin production, categorized as nonpolar.
• Glycine (G): The smallest amino acid, nonpolar but can exist in hydrophilic environments.

Polar Uncharged Amino Acids

• Serine (S): Contains a hydroxyl group, which allows for potential phosphorylation.
• Threonine (T): Similar to serine, it has a hydroxyl group, promoting protein interactions.
• Glutamine (Q): Important for nitrogen transport, classified as polar uncharged.
• Asparagine (N): Plays a key role in glycosylation processes, polar uncharged.
• Tyrosine (Y): Precursor to catecholamines, with aromatic properties, polar uncharged.

Polar Charged Amino Acids

• Aspartic acid (D): An acidic amino acid that plays a role in neurotransmission, polar charged.
• Glutamic acid (E): Important for synaptic transmission, also a polar charged amino acid.
• Lysine (K): A basic amino acid vital for protein interaction, polar charged.
• Arginine (R): An essential amino acid that plays a role in cell signaling, also polar charged.
• Histidine (H): Important for enzyme catalysis and hemoglobin function, classified as polar charged.

Special Amino Acids

• Cysteine (C): Unique for its ability to form disulfide bonds, enhancing protein stability.
• Proline (P): Known for introducing kinks in polypeptide chains, affecting the protein's structure.