Biochemistry lecture

My biochemistry lecture covered the properties of amino acids. The general structure of all amino acids is the same. They have a carboxyl group, amino group, central carbon, and R group. Each amino acid falls into one of the four groups: nonpolar, polar, acidic, or basic. The group the amino acid falls into is based off of the structure of the R group. The R groups of the acids and bases, depending on the pH, can be protonated or deprotonated. The carboxyl and amino groups, which are present in all amino acids, also have that properity. The carboxyl group becomes deprotonated at far lower pH levels than the amino group. This is because the structure of the carboxyl group is more electronegative and willing to donate a proton. The acidic and basic amino acids al vary at which pH their R group is deprotonated. The acidic R groups will deprotonate at a lower pH than the basic amino acids. In a protein, the charge can be calculated based off of the pH.