2
Chapters Handout 3-4
BCMB3100
Problems:
Chapter 3
(4,6,8,9,10,15)
Chapter 2
1) Given the pKas, be able to plot the titration curve for a polyprotic acid and identify the dominant forms
(charged states) of the acid on the curve.
2) Know how carbonate buffers blood. Identify carbonic acid, bicarbonate and carbonate. If CO2 increases,
does pH increase or decrease? What does hyperventilation do to blood pH? How?
3) During diabetic ketoacidosis the pH of the blood decreases. How does the body respond and why?
4) How does the dangerous paper bag rebreathing technique affect blood pH? How does a bicarbonate drip
affect blood pH?
Chapter 3
5) Know names (full, one and three letter) of all 20 natural occurring amino acids. Know pKa rule of thumb
for the -amino (~9) and carboxylate groups (~3) of the amino acid backbone. Why do the actual pKa values
for the -amino and carboxylate groups of amino acids vary?
6) Know the titration curve (Henerson-Hasselbalch) for zwitterions. Be able to identify regions of the curve
that are dominated by positive, negative or neutral Be ions. able to identify the pI on the curve.
7) Know the difference between L and D isomers of amino acids, and which form is found in proteins.
8) Know the functional groups of amino acids.
9) What do micelles and soluble proteins have in common?
10) What do hydropathy scales measure, and what is the weakness in the technique?
11) Which amino acid is useful for calculating molar concentrations of protein?
12) Which amino acid can participate in redox reactions? What is BME? What is the redox buffer of the
cell?
13) Know the pKa of the side-chains for D, E, H, C, K, Y and R and identify the titration curves for the amino
acids. Be able to identify regions of the curve that are dominated by positive or negative charge (and the number
of charges). Be able to identify the pI on the curve. Be able to draw the dominant ionic state of an a.a. given a
titration curve.
14) Which is a better acid (proton donor) at pH 7.5: Lys or Asp?
15) What is the ratio of protonated:unprotonated for the sidechain of Asp at pH 3.9? 4.9? 5.9?
16) Which amino acid is achiral?