Proteins: A Protein Is A Naturally Occurring, Unbranched Polymer in Which The Monomer Units Are Amino Acids
Proteins: A Protein Is A Naturally Occurring, Unbranched Polymer in Which The Monomer Units Are Amino Acids
Proteins: A Protein Is A Naturally Occurring, Unbranched Polymer in Which The Monomer Units Are Amino Acids
They are generally found in the interior of proteins, where there is limited contact
with water.
A polar neutral amino acid is an amino acid that contains one amino group,
one carboxyl group, and a side chain that is polar but neutral. In solution at
physiological pH, the side chain of a polar neutral amino acid is neither acidic
nor basic.
A polar acidic amino acid is an amino acid that contains one amino group and
two carboxyl groups, the second carboxyl group being part of the side chain.
In solution at physiological pH, the side chain of a polar acidic amino acid bears
a negative charge; the side-chain carboxyl group has lost its acidic hydrogen
atom.
A polar basic amino acid is an amino acid that contains two amino groups and
one carboxyl group, the second amino group being part of the side chain.
In solution at physiological pH, the side chain of a polar basic amino acid bears
a positive charge; the nitrogen atom of the amino group has accepted a proton.
ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS
An essential amino acid is an amino acid needed in the
human body that must be obtained from dietary sources
because it cannot be synthesized within the body from
other substances in adequate amounts.
A peptide is an unbranched chain of amino acids, each
joined to the next by a peptide bond.
Gly–Tyr–Leu–Val glycyltyrosylleucylvaline
Gly–Ala–Leu Glycylalanylleucine
Gly–Tyr–Ser–Ser Glycyltyrosylserylserine
BIOCHEMICALLY
IMPORTANT SMALL
PEPTIDES
Many relatively small peptides have been
shown to be biochemically active. Functions
for them include hormonal action,
neurotransmission, and antioxidant activity.
SMALL PEPTIDE HORMONES
Oxytocin regulates uterine contractions and lactation.
Met-enkephalin: Tyr–Gly–Gly–Phe–Met
Leu-enkephalin: Tyr–Gly–Gly–Phe–Leu
SMALL PEPTIDE ANTIOXIDANTS
The tripeptide glutathione (Glu–Cys–Gly) is present in
significant concentrations in most cells and is of
considerable physiological importance as a regulator of
oxidation–reduction reactions.