Gabriel Malonic Ester Synthesis is the second AAMC required reaction for the synthesis of alpha amino acids. As the name implies, this reaction utilizes Gabriel Amine Synthesis and Malonic Ester Synthesis, but with a twist. This video shows you the reaction overview followed by a step by step breakdown of important mechanism steps. (Watch on […]
Strecker Synthesis of Amino Acids
Strecker Synthesis is one of the first laboratory methods for synthesizing an alpha amino acid. Strecker synthesis starts out with a nucleophilic addition of nitrogen to an aldehyde followed by a SECOND nucleophilic addition of cyanide (nitrile group) to the imine intermediate. This video walks you through the overall reaction followed by a step by step […]
Peptide Charge and Isoelectric Point Shortcut
Charge and isoelectric point of peptides are determined by the individual amino acids. Both the backbone groups (N and C terminus) and the individual side chains. The previous video showed you how to find the charge and pI of individual amino acids. This tutorial shows you how to find them for a group of amino […]
Isoelectric Point of Amino Acids with MCAT shortcut
Isoelectric point calculations are critical in your biochemistry course and MCAT prep. The isoelectric point or pI gives you the pH at which the molecule has a net zero charge. This comes from a balance of protonation and deprotonation so that all positive and negative charges cancel out. This video shows you how to calculate […]
Zwitterion and Amino Acid Charge Tutorial Video
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 […]
Fischer Projection Stereochemistry Finding R and S for Single and Multiple Chiral Centers
Finding chirality for a 2-dimensional Fischer projection can be tricky. But it doesn’t have to be. This video shows you how to prioritize and rank groups on a Fischer projection when you have one or more chiral center. This video also addresses chirality when group #4 (H) is not going down/into the page (click to […]
Fischer Projections Tutorial Video for Single and Multiple Chiral Centers
Fischer projections are a key skill required at the organic chemistry and definitely at the biochemistry molecule. Instead of drawing complex 3-dimensional structures over and over, you simply learn how to draw a ‘flat’ version of the molecule without losing its chirality. This video is the first in a 5-part series to help you learn […]
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. […]
