Download amino acids structure

AMINO ACIDS STRUCTURE
Name: __________________________
Background
Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is understandably the most commonly known molecules
found in living things. Its importance as a means of storing and transmitting genetic
information (the information to make proteins) can’t be understated. In the end though,
DNA is a bore relative to proteins. Proteins are the molecular machines that do the
grunt work of life. They are the variety. In fact, you look and act the way you do
because of proteins. To understand protein structure and function, one first has to
develop a basic understanding of amino acid structure and function. In the following
activity, you will become familiar with the basic structure of amino acids, the important
categories in which the 20 amino acids are classified, as well as the reasons why each
amino acid has the properties that it does.
Materials
MolyMod Amino Acid Bags
Amino Acid Starter Kits
Procedure
1. Use a textbook or the internet to determine the five basic parts of an amino acid, the
structure that all 20 amino acids share in common. Diagram and label the basic
amino acid in the space provided in question 1.
2. Use the internet to determine the standards for CPK coloring of atoms. Record the
appropriate CPK color for the common atoms found in amino acids found below.
3. Acquire a random MolyMod Amino Acid Ziploc Bag, remove the contents, and use
them to create a basic amino acid. You do not have to make the entire side chain
for the amino acid, instead use the green ball to represent the entire R-group. Have
your teacher check your model when complete.
4. Acquire an Amino Acid Starter Kit, and remove the magnetic circle with the amino
acid abbreviations, the amino acid side chains from its small plastic bag, and the
laminated amino acid list. Use the laminated list to determine the names of the
amino acids associated with the side chains, and place them in the appropriate
position on the magnetic circle (colored sides facing forward). Have your teacher
check the placement of your amino acids.
5. Next, remove the small colored sticky circles from their bag. Use the laminated list to
determine the placement of the sticky circles on each of the amino acid side chains
(this follows the CPK coloring scheme). Place the stickers on the gray side to the
amino acid side chains. When finished, analyze the side chain characteristics for
each amino acid group and answer questions
6. Finally, use the remaining atoms in the MolyMod bag to replace the green R-group
with the actual atoms for your particular amino acid. Be prepared to identify the
parts of your amino acid, as well as explain its characteristics and why it has them.
Questions
1. Basic Amino Acid Structure
2. CPK Coloring
Carbon
_______________
Hydrogen
_______________
Oxygen
_______________
Nitrogen
_______________
Sulfur
_______________
3. Describe the distinguishing atomic characteristics of the hydrophobic side chains.
4. Describe the distinguishing atomic characteristics of the acidic side chains.
5. Describe the distinguishing atomic characteristics of the basic side chains.
6. Describe the distinguishing atomic characteristics of the hydrophilic or polar side
chains.