Textbook Question
Give the name for the amino acid represented by each of the following abbreviations:
d. Cys
18. Amino Acids and Proteins
Amino Acid Three Letter Codes
2:31 minutesProblem 57c
Textbook Question
Give the name and three-letter abbreviation for the amino acid described by each of the following:
c. the polar amino acid with a sulfur atom in its side chain
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the amino acids that are classified as polar. Polar amino acids have side chains that can form hydrogen bonds or interact with water due to their partial charges.
Determine which polar amino acids contain a sulfur atom in their side chain. Sulfur is a key element to look for in the structure of the amino acid.
Recall that cysteine and methionine are the two amino acids that contain sulfur. However, methionine is nonpolar, so it does not meet the criteria of being polar.
Conclude that the polar amino acid with a sulfur atom in its side chain is cysteine. Its side chain contains a thiol group (-SH), which contributes to its polarity.
Provide the name and three-letter abbreviation for cysteine: the name is 'cysteine,' and the three-letter abbreviation is 'Cys.'
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Polar Amino Acids
Polar amino acids are those that have side chains capable of forming hydrogen bonds with water, making them hydrophilic. These amino acids typically contain functional groups such as hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), or amine (-NH2) groups. Their polarity allows them to interact with the aqueous environment of cells, playing crucial roles in protein structure and function.
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Amino Acid Structure
Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom, an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines the specific properties of the amino acid. The side chain can vary in size, charge, and polarity, influencing the amino acid's role in protein structure.
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Cysteine
Cysteine is a polar amino acid characterized by the presence of a sulfur atom in its side chain, represented by the three-letter abbreviation 'Cys.' The sulfur atom allows cysteine to form disulfide bonds with other cysteine residues, which are important for stabilizing the three-dimensional structure of proteins. This unique property makes cysteine essential in various biological processes, including enzyme function and protein folding.
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