Biochemistry: Amino Acids Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the amino acid classification chart?

Amino Acid Classification Chart

Which is the only amino acid with a secondary amine?

Proline

Which is the only amino acid that is achiral?

Glycine

Which is the only amino acid that is technically an imino acid?

Proline Signup and view all the answers

Which amino acids are acidic?

Aspartate and Glutamate Signup and view all the answers

Which amino acids have amide side chains?

Asparagine and Glutamine Signup and view all the answers

Which amino acids are basic?

Arginine, Lysine, Histidine Signup and view all the answers

Which are branched amino acids?

Leucine, Isoleucine, Valine Signup and view all the answers

What are amino acids considered in terms of charge?

Zwitterions Signup and view all the answers

What is the acronym for essential amino acids?

V, MILK FTW Signup and view all the answers

What is the acronym for non-essential amino acids?

NDS ARE GQ PSYCHE Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter A?

Alanine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter R?

Arginine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter N?

Asparagine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter D?

Aspartic Acid Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter C?

Cysteine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter E?

Glutamic Acid Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter Q?

Glutamine Signup and view all the answers

Why is Tyrosine a conditional essential amino acid?

Individuals with PKU cannot synthesize Tyr from Phe. Signup and view all the answers

Who is ketogenic?

Lysine Signup and view all the answers

Who is glucogenic?

Glutamine and Histidine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter G?

Glycine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter H?

Histidine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter I?

Isoleucine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter L?

Leucine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter K?

Lysine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter M?

Methionine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter F?

Phenylalanine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter P?

Proline Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter S?

Serine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter T?

Threonine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter W?

Tryptophan Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter Y?

Tyrosine Signup and view all the answers

What amino acid corresponds to the letter V?

Valine Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Amino Acid Classification

Amino acids can be classified based on their side chains as acidic, basic, non-polar, polar, and aromatic.
Acidic amino acids: Aspartate and Glutamate.

Unique Amino Acid Characteristics

Proline is the only amino acid with a secondary amine structure.
Glycine is the only achiral amino acid, making it unique among the standard amino acids.
Proline is classified as an imino acid due to its structure, containing a carbon-nitrogen double bond.

Side Chain Classification

Amide side chains are found in Asparagine and Glutamine.
Basic amino acids include Arginine, Lysine, and Histidine, remembered through mnemonics linked to "Randy Keith Horton."

Branched Amino Acids

Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine are recognized as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).

Zwitterionic Nature

Amino acids exist as zwitterions, meaning they have both positive and negative charges at physiological pH.

Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids

Essential amino acids can be remembered with the acronym: V, MILK FTW.
Non-essential amino acids can be remembered with the acronym: NDS ARE GQ PSYCHE.

Individual Amino Acids and Functions

Alanine (A) serves as a key amino acid in protein metabolism.
Arginine (R) plays a role in the urea cycle and as a precursor to nitric oxide.
Asparagine (N) is important for protein synthesis and nitrogen transport.
Aspartic Acid (D) is crucial for removing ammonia, providing neuroprotection.
Cysteine (C) is vital for disulfide bond formation in proteins.
Glutamic Acid (E) functions as an excitatory neurotransmitter.
Glutamine (Q) is involved in nitrogen metabolism and protein synthesis.
Tyrosine (Y) is conditionally essential for individuals with phenylketonuria (PKU).

Ketogenic and Glucogenic Amino Acids

Certain amino acids like Lysine and Leucine are ketogenic, meaning they can be converted into ketone bodies.
Others, such as those in the "Information Technology Freeway" mnemonic, are glucogenic, contributing to glucose synthesis.

Miscellaneous Amino Acids

Glycine (G) plays a role in neurotransmission and a precursor for several bioactive compounds.
Histidine (H) is essential for growth and tissue repair, and is a precursor for histamine.
Isoleucine (I), Leucine (L), Lysine (K), Methionine (M), Phenylalanine (F), Proline (P), Serine (S), Threonine (T), Tryptophan (W), and Valine (V) each have unique roles in metabolism and protein synthesis.

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Description

Test your knowledge of amino acids with these flashcards covering classifications, unique properties, and specific characteristics. Perfect for students studying biochemistry and molecular biology, this quiz will help reinforce key concepts related to amino acids.