Alpha Amino Acids
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

The structure of the alpha amino acid that we need to know in A Level Chemistry is as shown:

alpha amino acid general structure

We can remember the structure of alpha amino acid by these 3 positions:

1. amine group -NH2

2. alpha carbon with a R group

3. acid group -COOH

Different amino acids have the same basic structure and only differ in the R group.

Hence it is important for us to identify the R group so that we can identify the amino acid.

Primary Structure of Proteins
The unique sequence of amino acids linked via peptide bonds to form a polypeptide chain will give the primary structure of proteins.

The structure of proteins is also in a standard format which is very similar to that of the amino acid:

amino acid protein general structure

So if we have a tripeptide -Asp-Ser-Val- to draw, we simply duplicate the structure 3 times and substitute each R group with the R group of the respective amino acid.

tripeptide Asp-Ser-Val

Learn how to draw alpha amino acids and primary structure of proteins in this video lesson!

Topic: Nitrogen Compounds, Organic Chemistry, JC, H2, A Level Chemistry, Singapore

You can also view this video lesson with screenshots and detailed explanation at https://chemistryguru.com.sg/how-to-draw-amino-acids-and-proteins

Do check out the following for more video lessons:
Organic Chemistry Videos at https://chemistryguru.com.sg/a-level-organic-chemistry-video-lessons
A Level Chemistry Videos at https://chemistryguru.com.sg/a-level-chemistry-video-lessons

If you are looking for H2 Chemistry Tuition, do consider taking up my classes at Bishan. More info at https://chemistryguru.com.sg/