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Amino Acids Video Lecture | Biology and Biochemistry for MCAT

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FAQs on Amino Acids Video Lecture - Biology and Biochemistry for MCAT

1. What are amino acids and why are they important for the MCAT?
Ans. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are essential for various biological functions in the body. Understanding amino acids is crucial for the MCAT as they play a significant role in biochemistry and molecular biology sections of the exam.
2. How many amino acids are there and what are the differences between essential and non-essential amino acids?
Ans. There are 20 standard amino acids, with 9 being essential and 11 non-essential. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet, while non-essential amino acids can be synthesized by the body.
3. What is the structure of an amino acid and how does it contribute to its function?
Ans. Amino acids have a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a side chain (R group). The side chain determines the unique properties of each amino acid, such as polarity, charge, and size, which in turn influence its function in protein structure and function.
4. How are amino acids classified based on their side chains and what are some examples of each type?
Ans. Amino acids can be classified as nonpolar, polar, acidic, or basic based on the properties of their side chains. Examples include glycine and alanine (nonpolar), serine and threonine (polar), aspartic acid and glutamic acid (acidic), and lysine and arginine (basic).
5. How do amino acids interact with each other to form proteins and what is the significance of peptide bonds in this process?
Ans. Amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds, which form between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another. This process, known as protein synthesis, allows amino acids to form long chains that fold into specific three-dimensional structures to carry out various biological functions.
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