What makes amino acids unique?

An amino acid is an organic molecule that is made up of a basic amino group (−NH2), an acidic carboxyl group (−COOH), and an organic R group (or side chain) that is unique to each amino acid. Each molecule contains a central carbon (C) atom, called the α-carbon, to which both an amino and a carboxyl group are attached.

What makes protein unique?

The primary structure of a protein — its amino acid sequence — drives the folding and intramolecular bonding of the linear amino acid chain, which ultimately determines the protein’s unique three-dimensional shape.

What differentiates amino acids from each other?

Every amino acid comprises a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group, an alpha-amino group and also the R-group (which makes the side chain). The side chain present in every amino acid is different. Therefore, the only primary factor that makes each amino acid different is the presence of R-group.

What are the major properties that distinguish different amino acids from one another?

Major properties that distinguish different amino acids from another are the polarity of the amino acid the R-gropu (AKA side chain) on the amino acid, and the size of the amino acid.

What elements differentiate the amino acids of proteins?

Carbohydrates and lipids are made of only carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen (CHO). Proteins are made of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen (CHON). Nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA contain carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and phosphorus (CHON P).

What distinguishes one of the common amino acids from another?

Amino acids are chemical compounds consisting of a carbon atom bonded to an amine group, a hydrogen atom, a carboxylic group, and a varying side-chain (R group); it is this side chain that distinguishes each amino acid from another.

How do you identify different amino acids?

The “R” group varies among amino acids and determines the differences between these protein monomers….Generally, amino acids have the following structural properties:

1. A carbon (the alpha carbon)
2. A hydrogen atom (H)
3. A Carboxyl group (-COOH)
4. An Amino group (-NH2)
5. A “variable” group or “R” group.