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  • Amino acids are biologically important organic compounds composed of amine (-NH2) and carboxylic acid (-COOH) functional groups, along with a side-chain specific to each amino acid.
  • The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, though other elements are found in the side-chains of certain amino acids.
  • About 500 amino acids are known and can be classified in many ways. Structurally they can be classified according to the functional groups' locations as alpha- (α-), beta- (β-), gamma- (γ-) or delta- (δ-) amino acids; other categories relate to polarity, pH level, and side chain group type (aliphatic, acyclic, aromatic, containing hydroxyl or sulfur, etc.)
  • In the form of proteins, amino acids comprise the second largest component (after water) of human muscles, cells and other tissues.
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10y ago
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5mo ago

The general structure of an amino acid consists of a central carbon atom bound to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a side chain (R group) that defines the specific amino acid.

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13y ago

It is a long repeated string of proteins

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Q: What does the general structure of an amino acid look like?
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What are amino acids of a protein chain held together by?

Amino acids in a protein chain are held together by peptide bonds. These bonds form between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino acid, resulting in a chain-like structure.


Is an amino acid and example of an inorganic molecule?

NO!!! Amino acids are definitely ORGANIC molecules. Here is one possibility of an amino acid/ H2N-CH2-CH2-COOH. It named as an amino acid because it contains an acid functional group (COOH) and an amine functional group (NH2).


Which of the amino acids is actually an imino acid?

Proline is considered an imino acid because its side chain forms a cyclic structure that includes a nitrogen atom, leading to the name "imino acid." This unique structure restricts proline's conformational flexibility and makes it a key component in protein structures like collagen.


Does insulin contain nitrogen?

Yes, insulin is a protein hormone composed of amino acids, which contain nitrogen. Nitrogen is an essential component of the amino acid structure that makes up proteins like insulin.


What is basic structure of an amino acid?

The main identifying factor is The Peptide Bond. In this Bond the -C-C-C-C- chain is interrupted by Nitrogen as in -C-C-N-C-C-N-C-C-N-C. All amino acids have the same 3 components: from the C-terminal end, there is an acid group (-COOH) that is bonded to the next C in the chain that is bonded to one H and one -R group [that will determine the kind of amino acid], that is followed by a NH2- that conjoins with the acid of the NEXT AMINO ACID. The basic structure looks something like this: H H O N C C OH H R You may also see it like this H H O H N C C H R O This is just showing the protonated version.

Related questions

Is the secondary structure more polar than the linear amino acid sequence?

The secondary structure is not more polar than the linear amino acid sequence. Secondary structure refers to local folding patterns like alpha helices and beta sheets, while the linear amino acid sequence determines the overall polarity of a protein based on the composition of polar and nonpolar amino acids.


What are amino acids of a protein chain held together by?

Amino acids in a protein chain are held together by peptide bonds. These bonds form between the amino group of one amino acid and the carboxyl group of another amino acid, resulting in a chain-like structure.


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What is amino acid sequencing?

Amino acid sequencing refers to the process of determining the order of amino acids in a protein or peptide. This information is crucial for understanding the structure and function of the protein, as amino acid sequence dictates the three-dimensional shape and biochemical properties of the molecule. Techniques like mass spectrometry and Edman degradation are commonly used for amino acid sequencing.


Why is the cell wall of the bacteria called peptidoglycan?

Peptido = amino acid peptide chains. Glycan = sugar The wall is composed, basically of these amino acids and sugars in a mesh like structure.


How does the structure of tRNA relate to its function in translation?

tRNA has a cloverleaf-like structure with an anticodon loop that pairs with the mRNA codon, allowing tRNA to bring the corresponding amino acid to the ribosome during translation. The tRNA structure also includes an amino acid attachment site at one end that binds to the specific amino acid carried by the tRNA. This structure is essential for recognizing the correct codon on the mRNA and ensuring the accurate placement of amino acids in the growing polypeptide chain during protein synthesis.


What amino acid is in melanin?

The amino acid found in melanin is called tyrosine. This amino acid is transformed into melanin through a complex biochemical process involving enzymes like tyrosinase.


Which of the following refers to the amino acid sequence of proteins?

In order to answer this question, you must, and prpbably do have the codon sequences of the RNA or DNA, and a chart saying what each codon codes for in terms of amino acids. The mRNA from transcription is what the sheet probably has on it, with each codon contained therin signaling a certain amino acid. If you can post the sequence or something like that, then ill sertainly answer it for you.


What is the difference between the structure of a protein and an amino acid?

think of it like legos. single Lego pieces are like amino acids and they get bonded together to form a longer chain called a polypeptide. polypeptides bind to other polypeptides by hydrogen bonding to each other and form a protein with structure.


What is self condensation of amino acids?

Self-condensation of amino acids refers to a reaction where an amino acid reacts with itself to form a peptide bond, resulting in the formation of a cyclic structure known as a diketopiperazine. This process can occur when two amino acid molecules are in close proximity and the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another, leading to the formation of a peptide bond and subsequent cyclization.


How are proteins stabilized in the folded structure?

Proteins are stabilized in their folded structure by various interactions such as hydrogen bonding, disulfide bridges, hydrophobic interactions, and electrostatic interactions between amino acid residues. These interactions help to maintain the unique three-dimensional shape of the protein, which is crucial for its function.


A polypeptide can best be described as?

A polypeptide is a chain of amino acids linked together by peptide bonds. It is a primary structure of a protein and can vary in length depending on the number of amino acids present.