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Polymers and Life

Amino acids, the peptide link and hydrolysing a protein

  • 2 things to know
  • Components 01, 02 and 03

Overview

Recall questions on the general formula of an amino acid, which groups form the peptide link and what is lost, and the products of acid and alkaline hydrolysis.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Numbers

What is the general formula of an amino acid, which carbon carries the amino group, and what link joins two of them?

Key term

Which groups react to form a peptide link and what is eliminated, how many peptide links are in a polypeptide of eight amino acid residues, and what does alkaline hydrolysis of a peptide give?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Which four groups are bonded to the central carbon atom of an amino acid?

    Model answer

    An amino group NH₂, a carboxyl group COOH, a hydrogen atom and a side chain R.

  2. 2

    Give the general formula of an amino acid.

    Model answer

    The general formula is RCH(NH₂)COOH, where R is the side chain that differs from one amino acid to the next.

  3. 3

    Which carbon atom in an amino acid carries the amino group?

    Model answer

    The carbon atom immediately next to the carboxyl group, so the amino group is always on carbon 2.

  4. 4

    Name the link that joins two amino acids together.

    Model answer

    The peptide link, –CO–NH–, which is an amide link.

  5. 5

    Which two functional groups react when a peptide link forms, and what is eliminated?

    Model answer

    The COOH of one amino acid reacts with the NH₂ of another, and a molecule of water is eliminated.

  6. 6

    Why are proteins classified as condensation polymers rather than addition polymers?

    Model answer

    Their monomers join with the loss of a small molecule, water, at every link, so the repeat unit is lighter than the monomer it came from.

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