Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

3. Amino Acids

Amino Acid Groups

Biochemistry

3. Amino Acids

Amino Acid Groups

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Multiple Choice

Every amino acid has a central (alpha) carbon atom to which all of the following groups are attached, EXCEPT:

A carboxyl group (–COOH)

A phosphate group (–PO₄²⁻)

An amino group (–NH₂)

A side chain (R group)

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure of an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and share a common structure centered around an alpha (central) carbon atom.

Step 2: Identify the groups attached to the alpha carbon. These include: (1) a carboxyl group (–COOH), (2) an amino group (–NH₂), (3) a hydrogen atom, and (4) a unique side chain (R group) that varies for each amino acid.

Step 3: Recognize that the question is asking for the group that is NOT attached to the alpha carbon. This requires comparing the listed groups to the standard structure of amino acids.

Step 4: Evaluate the options provided. The carboxyl group (–COOH), amino group (–NH₂), and side chain (R group) are all standard components of amino acids. However, a phosphate group (–PO₄²⁻) is not part of the basic amino acid structure.

Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is 'A phosphate group (–PO₄²⁻)' because it is not one of the groups attached to the alpha carbon in the structure of amino acids.