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Drawing a Peptide definitions

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  • Peptide Backbone
    A structural framework made of repeated nitrogen-carbon-carbon units, connecting amino acid residues in a chain.
  • Alpha Carbon
    The central carbon atom in each amino acid residue, serving as the attachment point for the R group.
  • N-terminal
    The end of a peptide chain featuring a free, ionizable amino group, marking the starting point of the sequence.
  • C-terminal
    The end of a peptide chain with a free carboxyl group, representing the final amino acid residue.
  • Residue
    An individual amino acid unit within a peptide, linked by peptide bonds and lacking free terminal groups if internal.
  • Carbonyl Group
    A functional group consisting of a carbon atom double-bonded to oxygen, present in each peptide linkage.
  • Chirality
    A property of amino acids where spatial arrangement determines L or D form, affecting R group orientation.
  • L-amino Acid
    The biologically preferred form of amino acids, with R groups positioned on wedges or dashes based on orientation.
  • R Group
    A side chain attached to the alpha carbon, unique for each amino acid and dictating its chemical properties.
  • Amino Group
    A functional group (-NH3+) found at the N-terminal, free and ionizable at physiological pH.
  • Carboxyl Group
    A functional group (-COO-) located at the C-terminal, free and negatively charged in peptides.
  • Alanine
    An amino acid residue with a methyl side chain, often used as a simple example in peptide drawings.
  • Valine
    An amino acid residue with a V-shaped side chain, featuring two methyl groups branching from a central carbon.
  • Leucine
    An amino acid residue with an extended valine-like side chain, including an extra methylene group.
  • Peptide Bond
    A covalent linkage formed between the amino group of one residue and the carboxyl group of another.