Chapter 4 section 3

Question 1

Which groups of amino acids show general chemical reactivity?

Answer 1

The α-amino and α-carboxyl groups.

Question 2

What determines the specific reactivity of amino acids in proteins?

Answer 2

The chemical nature of their side chains (R groups).

Question 3

Why is amino acid reactivity important?

Answer 3

For protein modification, detection/quantitation, and biological function.

Question 4

What is the Edman reaction used for?

Answer 4

Sequencing peptides by reacting the α-amino group to produce a PTH derivative.

Question 5

How do cysteines stabilize protein structure?

Answer 5

By forming disulfide bonds between side chains.