Biochemistry 2280A Lecture Notes - Acid Dissociation Constant, Dehydration Reaction, Protein Structure

• School: Western University
• Department: Biochemistry
• Course: Biochemistry 2280A
• Professor: Mel Usselman

Document Summary

The formation of a peptide bond conveys how two amino acids bind together in a chemical reaction. This bond is created between the n-terminus (amino group) and the c-terminus (carboxyl group). Essentially, what is taking place is a condensation reaction or dehydration synthesis, as water is being lost in the process. A residue is an amino acid when it is actually within a peptide. In this state, it has lost a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group (collectively identified as water). It is due to the partial double-bond (by way of resonance) that there is limitation of rotation about the peptide bond and it is a contributing factor to protein formation and the protein being able to rotate later on. The 3-dimensional structure of a protein determines its function. Polypeptides are always written from the n (amino) to the c (carboxyl) terminus as a convention of biochemistry.