This lesson introduces glutamic acid’s molecular structure and explains how its electrical charge changes with pH. It also explores its optical isomers and the history of its identification.
Glutamic acid is an α-amino acid with the molecular formula C5H9NO4. Its structure includes an amino group and two carboxyl groups, which can be represented as HOOC−CH(NH₂)−(CH₂)₂−COOH. The amino acid is encoded in proteins by the codons GAA and GAG. Its one-letter symbol is E, while Glu is its three-letter symbol.
All flashcards
What are the molecular formula and standard symbols for glutamic acid?
The formula is C₅H₉NO₄; its one-letter symbol is E and its three-letter symbol is Glu.
What is a zwitterion?
A molecule with both positive and negative charges but no overall net charge.
What is long-term potentiation (LTP)?
A lasting increase in the strength of synaptic connections, associated with learning and memory.
Where is D-glutamate found?
It occurs in some bacterial cell walls and capsules, and in small amounts in mammals.
How does glutamate help route nitrogen toward disposal?
It collects amino groups through transamination; deamination releases ammonia that is ultimately excreted mainly as urea.
Quiz questions
In transamination, what happens when an amino group is transferred to α-ketoglutarate?Answer: Glutamate is produced from α-ketoglutarate.
Which pair consists of ionotropic glutamate receptors?Answer: AMPA and NMDA receptors
Metabotropic glutamate receptors belong to which receptor class?Answer: G-protein-coupled receptors
How does phencyclidine (PCP) affect glutamate signaling?Answer: It acts as a non-competitive antagonist at NMDA receptors.
What method largely replaced chemical synthesis for industrial glutamic acid production in the 1950s?Answer: Aerobic fermentation using sugars and ammonia
Based on the Wikipedia article Glutamic acid, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.