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Isoelectric Point of Amino Acids with Ionizable R-Groups definitions

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  • Isoelectric Point
    pH at which an amino acid's net charge is zero, found by averaging specific pKa values for ionizable groups.
  • Amino Acid
    Molecule with both amino and carboxyl groups, some possessing ionizable R groups affecting charge at different pH.
  • Ionizable R Group
    Side chain in certain amino acids capable of gaining or losing protons, contributing to multiple pKa values.
  • pKa
    Value indicating the pH at which a functional group is half protonated and half deprotonated, crucial for charge determination.
  • Net Charge
    Sum of positive and negative charges on an amino acid at a given pH, used to identify the isoelectric point.
  • Conjugate Acid
    Form of a group with an extra proton, predominates when pH is below its pKa, often carrying a positive charge.
  • Conjugate Base
    Form of a group missing a proton, predominates when pH is above its pKa, often carrying a negative charge.
  • Alpha Amino Group
    Functional group in amino acids with a typical pKa range of 9–10.5, can be protonated or deprotonated depending on pH.
  • Carboxyl Group
    Functional group in amino acids with a typical pKa around 2, can lose a proton to become negatively charged.
  • Hydroxyl Group
    Functional group present in some R groups, can be protonated or deprotonated, affecting the amino acid's charge.
  • Tyrosine
    Amino acid with an ionizable R group, used as an example for pI calculation due to its three distinct pKa values.
  • Mnemonic
    Memory aid such as 'yucky crazy dragons eat knights riding horses' to identify amino acids with ionizable R groups.
  • Predominant Structure
    Most stable form of an amino acid at a specific pH, determined by comparing pH to pKa values.
  • pKR
    pKa value specific to the ionizable R group of an amino acid, used in pI calculations.
  • One-Letter Code
    Single character representation for amino acids, such as 'Y' for tyrosine, useful for quick identification.