Amino Acids

[spyderracing32]

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Are we expected to know the structures of the 20 amino acids for the MCAT? I did it for orgo II so its not a huge deal, but this seems like it would be a really out there thing for the MCAT to test (I only ask because it has come up on several TPR MCATs).

 

[161927]

Might as well memorize them.

 

[Ninjaface]

At the very least memorize what group each is in (Basic, Non-polar, etc.)

 

[sleepy425]

At the very least memorize what group each is in (Basic, Non-polar, etc.)

I find it much easier to know the structures of the amino acids. that way, there's no need to memorize basic, non-polar, etc, because you can tell from the structure. learning them isn't that hard, the hardest part is leucine vs isoleucine, but the rest are different enough that it's not a problem.

 

[hdu]

I agree totally with Sleepy (usually I do, that is why sometimes I do not answer if he/she has answered already).

An amino acid can be neutral, hydrophobic (or non polar), monoamine monocarboxylic, and aromatic, at the same time...you do not need to know each classification if you know the structure of amino acids.

If you learn the structures then you can answer a lot of different questions (not only about classification) that you could not answer without knowing the structures:

a) Which amino acids have Sulfur?
b)Which amino acids have OH groups in the lateral chain?
c) the lateral chain of which amino acids can form hydrogen bonds with other amino acids?
d)Which amino acids can form disulfide bridges?
e) If Valine is changed to Aspartate in a peptide chain, how the protein behaivor would change in an electrophoresis?
f) If leucine is changed by alanine in a mutation, is this mutation conservative or not?
And a lot more different questions that can be solved if you know the structure of the amino acids.

My blog: www.biochemistryquestions.wordpress.com

 

[sleepy425]

i Agree Totally With Sleepy (usually I Do, That Is Why Sometimes I Do Not Answer If He/she Has Answered Already).

An Amino Acid Can Be Neutral, Hydrophobic (or Non Polar), Monoamine Monocarboxylic, And Aromatic, At The Same Time...you Do Not Need To Know Each Classification If You Know The Structure Of Amino Acids.

If You Learn The Structures Then You Can Answer A Lot Of Different Questions (not Only About Classification) That You Could Not Answer Without Knowing The Structures:

A) Which Amino Acids Have Sulfur?
B)which Amino Acids Have Oh Groups In The Lateral Chain?
C) The Lateral Chain Of Which Amino Acids Can Form Hydrogen Bonds With Other Amino Acids?
D)which Amino Acids Can Form Disulfide Bridges?
E) If Valine Is Changed To Aspartate In A Peptide Chain, How The Protein Behaivor Would Change In An Electrophoresis?
F) If Leucine Is Changed By Alanine In A Mutation, Is This Mutation Conservative Or Not?
And A Lot More Different Questions That Can Be Solved If You Know The Structure Of The Amino Acids.

My Blog: www.biochemistryquestions.wordpress.com

🙂

 

[Ninjaface]

I find it much easier to know the structures of the amino acids. that way, there's no need to memorize basic, non-polar, etc, because you can tell from the structure. learning them isn't that hard, the hardest part is leucine vs isoleucine, but the rest are different enough that it's not a problem.

It's obviously not easier - it takes about 10 seconds to come up with a mneumonic to memorize the group designations for all eternity. It may be better, but certainly not easier. Also, I said at least, not instead of. The maximum knowledge is obviously the best, I was merely suggesting a mandatory minimum.

 

[sleepy425]

It's obviously not easier - it takes about 10 seconds to come up with a mneumonic to memorize the group designations for all eternity. It may be better, but certainly not easier. Also, I said at least, not instead of. The maximum knowledge is obviously the best, I was merely suggesting a mandatory minimum.

hey man, I wasn't being critical, I was just saying my opinion. whatever works for you is great. I happen to find that learning them is easier, but that's because i don't really memorize things well, and I definitely forget mnemonics, but if that's what works for you, that's cool too.

 

[Ninjaface]

Sorry, week before MCAT induced crankiness.

As soon as it appears to me there is more than one person trying to gang up and "prove me wrong", I tend to get defensive. Sorry for the misinterpretation.

🙂

 

[sleepy425]

Sorry, week before MCAT induced crankiness.

As soon as it appears to me there is more than one person trying to gang up and "prove me wrong", I tend to get defensive. Sorry for the misinterpretation.

🙂

haha, it's cool. good luck!!

 

[bodonid]

Having done both at various stages of my education, I agree that learning the structures is easier and better. When you actually stop and think about it, you would have to make about 7 or 8 catagorical lists if you wanted all of the info.