Amino Acids - are the basic units from which proteins are made.

- Plants can manufacture all the amino acids they require from simpler molecules , but animals obtain a certain number of ready-made amino acids (called essentia l amino acids) from their diet. - Amino acids can combine to form peptide chains in condensation reaction. the r everse reaction, which breaks up peptide chains uses water and is called hydroly sis. - Structure of Amino acids: there are over 150 amino acids found in cells, but o nly 20 occur commonly in proteins - the remaining, non-protein amino acids have specialized roles as intermediates in metabolic reactions, or as neurotransmitters and hormones. - the only difference between the different types lies with the "R" group in the general formula. - this group is variable, which means that it is different in each kind of amino acid. - carboxyl group makes the molecule behave like a weak acid. - in cysteine (one kind of amino acid), the "R" group can form disulfide bridges with other cysteines to create cross linkages in a polypeptide chain . - in lysine, the R group gives the amino acid an alkaline property. - in Aspartic acid, R group gives the amino acid an acidic property. - several amino acids act as neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Gl utamic acid and GABA are the most common neurotransmitters in the brain. - amino acids tend to stabilize the PH of solutions in which they are present be cause they will remove excess H+ or OH- ions. they retain this buffer capacity e ven when incorporated into peptides and proteins. - amino acids are widely available as dietary supplements for specific purposes. lysine is sold as a relief for herpes infections and glucosamine supplements ar e used for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis and other joint disorder. questions: 1) discuss the various biological roles of amino acids: there are over 150 maim acids found in cells, but only 20 occur commonly in proteins. some proteins act as catalyst for metabolic reactions. the remaining, non-protein amino acids have specialized roles as intermediate in metabolic reactions, or as neurotransmitte rs and hormones. 2) Describe what makes each of the 20 amino acids found in proteins unique: the 20 amino acids found in protein can function as biological catalyst for meta bolic reactions. and they can form various proteins. 3) Describe the process that determines the sequence in which amino acids are li nked together to form polypeptide chains: ? 4) Explain how the chemistry of amino acids enables them to act as buffers in bi ological tissues: amino acids tend to stabilize the ph solutions in which they a re present because they will remove excess of H+ or OH- ions. 5) Giving examples, explain what is meant by an essential amino acid: plants can manufacture all their amino acids however, animal obtain a certain nu mber of amino acids from their diet. the amino acids that animal have to obtain from diet is called essential amino acid. 6) Describe the processes by which amino acids are joined together and broken do wn: amino acids are linked together by condensation reaction. during this reacti on, the water is released and form polypeptide bond. in contrast, during hydrolysis reaction, amino acids are broken down by adding w ater; the water gives hydroxyl group.