AMINOACIDS AND PROTEINS

Amino acids are the organic molecules containing COOH group and NH2 groups. -amino acids are the amino acids containing both carboxylic group and amine group attached to the same carbon atom. The general formula of amino acid is given by, R CH COOH | NH2 Different amino acids are known depending on the R group attached. NH2 CH2 COOH Glycine NH2 CH COOH | CH3 Alanine NH2 CH COOH | CH C6H5 Phenyl alanine

NH2 CH COOH NH2 CH COOH NH2 CH COOH | | | CH2 OH CH2 SH CH2 COOH Serine Cysteine Aspartic acid NH2 CH COOH | (CH2)4 NH2 Lysine
CH2 CH 2 CH2

H2 N
CH

CH CH2

COOH

COOH

HO

Proline

Tyrosine

Properties: The amino acids are crystalline solids soluble in polar solvents like water. The amino acids are classified into two types. Essential amino acids: The amino acids which cannot be synthesized in body and must be present in the diet are known as essential amino acids. Ex: Valine, Leucine, isoleucine etc. Non essential amino acids: The amino acids which are synthesized by human body are known as non-essential amino acids. Ex: Glycine, Serine, cysteine etc.

Amphoteric nature of amino acid: Amino acids contain both COOH group and NH2 groups. So it can behave like an acid as well as base. Amino acids will react with bases like NaOH to form respective salts. R CH COOH R CH COONa | + NaOH | + H2O NH2 NH2 Amino acids will react with acids like HCl to form salts. R CH COOH R CH COOH | + HCl | NH2 NH3Cl

+ H2O

Zwitter ion: The amino acid will exist as a cation in presence of acidic medium and as a anion in basic medium. At a particular pH, the amino acid exists as a dipolar ion which is known as zwitter ion. R CH COOHH+ R CH COO OH R CH COO | | | NH+3 NH+3 NH2 When the H+ ion from COOH group is transferred to -NH2 group, a dipolar ion is obtained. This dipolar structure of an amino acid is known as Zwitter ion. Isoelectric point: The amino acid molecule in acid medium exists as cation and move towards cathode in an electric field. In alkaline medium it exists as anion and move towards anode in an electric field. At a particular pH of the medium, the amino acid molecule exists as zwitter ion and doesnt move towards cathode or anode in an electric field. This pH is known as isoelectric pH of the amino acid. Isoelectric point of an amino acid is the pH of the solution at which the amino acid exists as a dipolar ion and do not move either towards cathode or anode in an electric field. Peptide bond: When two amino acid molecules condense with each other, it eliminates a water molecule forming a - CONH - bond which is known as peptide bond. H2N CH2 COOH + H2N CH2 COOH H2N CH2 CO NH CH2 COOH Peptide bond Polypeptides: These are the biopolymers of amino acids. They contain large number of amino acid units connected by peptide bonds.

A polypeptide having molecular mass more than 10,000 is a protein. Thus all proteins are polypeptides but all polypeptides are not proteins. Proteins: Proteins are the biopolymers of

amino acids with molecular mass more than 10,000.

Classification of proteins: Proteins are classified into three types based on their composition. 1. Simple proteins: These are the proteins which on hydrolysis gives only amino acids. 2. Conjugated proteins: These are the proteins which on hydrolysis gives amino acids and a non-protein part known as prosthetic group. Ex: Haemoglobin. In haemoglobin, globin is the protein part and Haem is non-protein part. 3. Derived proteins: These are the substances derived from proteins. Biological importance of proteins: Proteins as structural materials: These are the fibrous proteins which help in bulding the organism. Ex: collagen, keratin etc. Proteins as transport agents: Haemoglobin acts as a transport agent for oxygen and carbon dioxide in animals. They carry oxygen to each and every cell and brings back carbon dioxide to lungs. Proteins as enzymes: Enzymes are biocatalysts. Various biochemical reactions which take place in an organism is catalysed by enzymes. The enzymes are highly specific in their action and a particular biochemical reaction is catalysed by particular enzyme. They depend on the pH of the media. The enzyme activity is maximum at a particular pH which is known as optimum pH. Ex: hydrolysis of oils and fats to fatty acids is catalysed by lipase. Hydrolysis of proteins to amino acids is done by proteases Hydrolysis of sucrose to glucose and fructose is done by invertase. Proteins as antibodies: The antibodies forms the defense mechanism in an organism. When a disease causing pathogen enters the host, antibodies are formed which combines with pathogens forming inactive complexes. Thus reducing the activity of pathogenic organisms and saving the host is done by these antibodies. Proteins as hormones: Hormones are also known as biochemical messengers. These are secreted in ductless glands and control a particular action in the body like growth etc. Insulin controls the glucose level in blood. Insulin is secreted in the -cell of pancreas. This will maintain the glucose concentration in the blood. If insulin is not secreted in proper amount in the body it leads to the increased sugar level in blood causing diabetes.