Amino acids exist as zwitterions at physiological pH. A zwitterion by definition is a molecule with 2 (zwitter) ions, one positive and one negative for a net zero charge. This video shows you how to quickly calculate amino acid charge at any given pH by helping you recognize when a given side chain is protonated or […]
Introduction to Amino Acids in MCAT Biochemistry
Understanding the structure and nature of Amino Acids is critical to understanding biological molecules and reactions as they are tested on the MCAT. This is the first in an in-depth MCAT Amino Acid series covering the basic structure and side chain characteristics. (Watch on YouTube: Amino Acids Intro Click cc on the bottom right for video […]
Amino Acid Peptide Linkage Formation and Hydrolysis Reactions
Amino acids are the building blocks of living things. This makes the process of making/breaking bonds critical to understanding biological sciences. This video walks you through the formation of an amino acid bond – the peptide bond, as well as breaking the bonds through hydrolysis. (Watch on YouTube: Peptide Linkage/Hydrolysis. Click CC for transcription) Links […]
Understanding Amino Acid Side Chain Characteristics for the MCAT
Amino acids are the building blocks of living things. Long chains of amino acids make up proteins, which in turn make up many structural and functional cell components. I like to think of the cell as a self contained city where the nucleus is the capital, the mitochondria is the power plant and so on. […]
