In peptide bond formation, the amino group acts as an electrophile
Question
In peptide bond formation, the amino group acts as an electrophile
Solution
Actually, in peptide bond formation, the amino group does not act as an electrophile. Instead, it acts as a nucleophile. Here's why:
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A peptide bond is formed during protein synthesis when the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another amino acid. This reaction is a type of condensation reaction, which means it involves the elimination of a small molecule - in this case, water.
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The carboxyl group (-COOH) of one amino acid and the amino group (-NH2) of another amino acid are involved in the reaction. The carboxyl group is acidic, meaning it tends to lose a proton (H+), and the amino group is basic, meaning it tends to gain a proton.
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In the reaction, the carboxyl group loses a hydroxyl group (-OH), and the amino group loses a hydrogen atom (H). These combine to form water, which is eliminated.
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The remaining parts of the carboxyl and amino groups combine to form a peptide bond (-CO-NH-).
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In this reaction, the amino group acts as a nucleophile, meaning it donates a pair of electrons to form a new bond. The carbon atom of the carboxyl group acts as an electrophile, meaning it accepts a pair of electrons to form a new bond.
So, in peptide bond formation, the amino group acts as a nucleophile, not an electrophile.
Similar Questions
Which type of reaction results in the formation of a peptide bond between amino acids and the loss of a water molecule?
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Under physiological conditions, peptide bond formation requires coupling to GTP hydrolysis. Peptide bond degradation does not require GTP hydrolysis but does require a protease enzyme to proceed at physiologically relevant rates. Based on this information, under physiological conditions and in the absence of proteases, the peptide bonds that form during protein synthesis are:A.both thermodynamically and kinetically stable.B.thermodynamically unstable but kinetically stable.C.thermodynamically stable but kinetically unstable.D.both thermodynamically and kinetically unstable.
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