Alpha Amino Acids<br />Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.<br /><br />The structure of the alpha amino acid that we need to know in A Level Chemistry is as shown:<br /><br />alpha amino acid general structure<br /><br />We can remember the structure of alpha amino acid by these 3 positions:<br /><br />1. amine group -NH2<br /><br />2. alpha carbon with a R group<br /><br />3. acid group -COOH<br /><br />Different amino acids have the same basic structure and only differ in the R group.<br /><br />Hence it is important for us to identify the R group so that we can identify the amino acid.<br /><br />Primary Structure of Proteins<br />The unique sequence of amino acids linked via peptide bonds to form a polypeptide chain will give the primary structure of proteins.<br /><br />The structure of proteins is also in a standard format which is very similar to that of the amino acid:<br /><br />amino acid protein general structure<br /><br />So if we have a tripeptide -Asp-Ser-Val- to draw, we simply duplicate the structure 3 times and substitute each R group with the R group of the respective amino acid.<br /><br />tripeptide Asp-Ser-Val<br /><br />Learn how to draw alpha amino acids and primary structure of proteins in this video lesson!<br /><br />Topic: Nitrogen Compounds, Organic Chemistry, JC, H2, A Level Chemistry, Singapore<br /><br />You can also view this video lesson with screenshots and detailed explanation at https://chemistryguru.com.sg/how-to-draw-amino-acids-and-proteins<br /><br />Do check out the following for more video lessons:<br />Organic Chemistry Videos at https://chemistryguru.com.sg/a-level-organic-chemistry-video-lessons<br />A Level Chemistry Videos at https://chemistryguru.com.sg/a-level-chemistry-video-lessons<br /><br />If you are looking for H2 Chemistry Tuition, do consider taking up my classes at Bishan. More info at https://chemistryguru.com.sg/
