Let's start with aspartate, also known as aspartic acid.
- Indicate that aspartate's codes are Asp and D.
- As usual, draw our general amino acid structure.
- Add a beta and gamma carbon, and to the gamma-carbon attach a carboxylate group.
- Under physiological conditions, aspartate is negatively charged.
- Aspartate is one of the major components of the artificial sweetener aspartame, which is found in many diet sodas.
Amino Acids: Charged (-/+)
Charged
Aspartate (aka aspartic acid)
- Under physiological conditions, aspartate is negatively charged.
- Aspartate is one of the major components of the artificial sweetener aspartame, which is found in many diet sodas.
Glutamate (aka glutamic acid)
- Glutamate's structure is very similar to aspartate, it just has an extra CH2 before the carboxylic acid group.
- Glutamate's sodium salt, monosodium glutamate, or MSG is used in the food industry to enhance the flavor of savory foods.
Lysine
- Letter K was closest letter to L that was available.
Arginine
- Remember it's letter, remember that the word Arginine starts with an "R" sound.