Do we have to know specific amino acids?

[SephirothXR]

I'm taking organic practice passages out of AAMC's prep book and the answer explanations mention how either specific amino acids have two stereoisomers or no chiral center (which WERE NOT mentioned in the passage) in order to explain their answer. Do we have to know any amino acids and their structures for the test?

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[km17]

No, but you should be able to draw the general structure with a generic R group. It also might not hurt to know the basic groups (non-polar, polar, acidic, and basic).

Also, for future reference, there is an MCAT Study Q&A sub-forum 🙂

 

[Altair89]

I'm taking organic practice passages out of AAMC's prep book and the answer explanations mention how either specific amino acids have two stereoisomers or no chiral center (which WERE NOT mentioned in the passage) in order to explain their answer. Do we have to know any amino acids and their structures for the test?

Just know the general structure of an amino acid, and also take note of the amino acid glycine. glycine is the smallest amino acid, and is the only nonchiral amino acid. Thus, it is the only amino acid that can not polarize light.

 

[KurtLucas10]

If you have time, you might as well get familiar with them. You will have to have them memorized for any cell bio or bio chem class you take anyway, but I don't think you have to know anything besides their properties for the MCAT.