Protein structure and function in plants and animals

Peter J. Garlick

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Amino acids all possess a carboxylic acid group and an amino group, both linked to a single carbon atom called the a-carbon (Figure 1.1). The differences between amino acids result from the side chain attached to the a-carbon atom, which can be aliphatic or aromatic in nature and can include extra amino, imino, or carboxylic acid functional groups (Figure 1.1). All amino acids except glycine can exist as optical isomers in D-and L-forms (Figure 1.1), but only L-forms are found in living organisms (with the exception of D amino acids in certain bacterial cell wall proteins).6 The chemical versatility provided by the 20 common amino acids is critically important to the function of proteins. Five of the 20 amino acids have side chains that can form ions in solution and impart polar and hydrophilic properties to the protein.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationFood Safety of Proteins in Agricultural Biotechnology
EditorsBruce G Hammond
PublisherCRC Press
Pages1-29
Number of pages29
ISBN (Electronic)9781420005738
ISBN (Print)9780849339677
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2007

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering
  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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