Amino Acids and Their Importance

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Questions and Answers

At a pH of 5.0 and a net charge of 0, which of the following describes the ionization state of valine's functional groups?

All acid groups are deprotonated and amino groups are protonated. (correct)

Both acid and amino groups are protonated.

All acid groups are protonated and amino groups are deprotonated.

All groups are deprotonated.

What is the expected net charge of valine at a pH of 12.0?

Net charge of +1.

Net charge of 0.

Net charge of -1.

Net charge of -2. (correct)

Which statement accurately reflects the structural form of valine at a pH of 2.0?

Only the acid groups are protonated.

Both the acid groups are deprotonated and the amino group is protonated.

Only the amino group is deprotonated.

Both the acid groups and the amino group are protonated. (correct)

At pH 7.0, what is the charge state of the amino group in valine?

It is protonated. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the ionization state of valine when the pH is increased above 11.0?

All acid groups are deprotonated and the amino group is also deprotonated. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the three polar basic amino acids?

Methionine Signup and view all the answers

How many standard amino acids can be synthesized by the adult human body from carbohydrates and lipids?

11 Signup and view all the answers

What are the amino acids that must be obtained from dietary sources called?

Essential amino acids Signup and view all the answers

Which essential amino acid is required for growth in children but not listed for adults?

Arginine Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the one-letter code for amino acids?

For easier encoding in computer applications Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following amino acids can be synthesized adequately by the human body?

Arginine Signup and view all the answers

Which group of amino acids consists of essential amino acids for adults?

9 Signup and view all the answers

What defines an essential amino acid?

It is needed for protein synthesis and cannot be synthesized adequately by the body Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of insulin in the human body?

Regulating blood-glucose levels Signup and view all the answers

How many amino acids are present in human insulin?

51 Signup and view all the answers

What happens when blood-glucose levels become too high?

Insulin facilitates the conversion of glucose to glycogen Signup and view all the answers

Which species’ insulin matches human insulin at the highest number of amino acid positions?

Porcine Signup and view all the answers

What condition results from insufficient insulin production or insulin resistance?

Diabetes mellitus Signup and view all the answers

What is the current trend regarding the use of animal insulin for diabetics?

Decreasing due to synthetic alternatives Signup and view all the answers

What is used to deliver insulin to a person with diabetes?

Subcutaneous injection Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a-amino acids from one another?

The nature of the side chain (R group) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of insulin in conversion between glucose and glycogen?

Assists both glucose to glycogen and glycogen to glucose conversions Signup and view all the answers

How many standard amino acids are typically found in proteins?

20 Signup and view all the answers

Which functional groups are characteristic of an a-amino acid?

Both amino and carboxyl groups Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly defines a standard amino acid?

One of the 20 a-amino acids found in proteins Signup and view all the answers

What role does the side chain (R group) of an a-amino acid play?

It affects the amino acid’s polarity and chemical reactivity Signup and view all the answers

In the molecular structure of an a-amino acid, where are the carboxyl and amino groups located?

They are both attached to the a-carbon atom Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the general structural formula of an a-amino acid?

It includes a unique side chain for each amino acid Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of proteins in biological systems?

To provide structural support and facilitate biochemical reactions Signup and view all the answers

How many possible amino acid sequences are there for the 51 amino acids found in insulin?

1.55 x 10^66 Signup and view all the answers

What geometric feature of peptide bonds is described in the content?

Peptide linkages are essentially planar. Signup and view all the answers

What does the backbone of a protein consist of?

Peptide linkages that form the structure. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it said that a protein is simply an 'extra long' peptide?

Because the structural characteristics are equivalent to peptides. Signup and view all the answers

How are the amino acids linked in a protein's primary structure?

By peptide linkages. Signup and view all the answers

What shape do the carbon and nitrogen atoms in a protein backbone resemble?

Zigzag. Signup and view all the answers

What role do R groups play in a protein?

They provide unique properties to each amino acid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the number of sequences possible for amino acids in proteins?

It signifies the importance of cellular precision. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds containing both an amino (!NH2) group and a carboxyl (!COOH) group.
Amino acids in proteins are always a-amino acids, where the amino group and carboxyl group are attached to the a-carbon atom.
The side chain (R group) determines the unique properties of each amino acid.
There are over 700 naturally occurring amino acids, but only 20 are standard amino acids found in proteins.
The three polar basic amino acids are lysine, arginine, and histidine.
All standard amino acids are necessary for human proteins.
The human body can synthesize 11 of the 20 standard amino acids, but the remaining nine, called essential amino acids, must be obtained from dietary protein.
Human bodies cannot synthesize essential amino acids in adequate amounts from other substances.

Essential Amino Acids

Adult bodies need nine essential amino acids.
A tenth essential amino acid is needed for child growth.
The essential amino acids are: arginine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.

Peptide Bonds

The sequence of amino acids in a protein is its primary structure.
Peptide bonds link the amino acids together to form the protein backbone.
The backbone has a zigzag structure due to the geometry of the peptide bonds.
The peptide linkage is essentially planar, with six atoms in the same plane: the a-carbon and C"O group from the first amino acid, and the N!H group and a-carbon atom from the second amino acid.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of amino acids, focusing on their structure, classification, and essential roles in human health. You will learn about the 20 standard amino acids, their properties, and the distinction between essential and non-essential amino acids. Understand how these compounds contribute to protein synthesis and overall bodily function.