1. What are amino acids? How many amino acids are there?

How are they different?

a. Amino acid: monomer that makes up proteins; contains
carboxyl and amino acid functional groups
i.

ii. Consists of a central carbon atom bonded to four

partners
1. Carbon atom (forms four covalent bonds).
a. Three of the central carbons partners
are the same in all amino acids.
b. One partner is a hydrogen atom.
c. Carboxyl group
d. Amino group
e. Side group (gives identity)/ R-group
i. Responsible for the particular
chemical properties of each amino
acid.
1. Example: the side group for
leucine is a hydrocarbon
a. Hydrophobic
2. Serine: hydroxyl
a. Hydrophilic
b. There are 20 amino acids.
c. They are distinguished by their R group, which give them
specific characteristics.