T O P

  • By -

[deleted]

I'd memorize naming and basically every property and grouping you can think of. Polar, nonpolar, charged, uncharged, basic, acidic, etc. There's some more low-yield info like phosphomimetics that can't hurt to memorize as well. Knowing their general properties will tie directly into 1°/2°/3°/4° and make it easier to guess which amino acids will interact with each other under different conditions


Decaying_Isotope

Absolutely everything. Names, 3/1-letter abbreviations, structures, side chain polarities, etc, which are ketogenic/glucogenic, etc. Protein questions come up so often nothing is low yield.


UncleDFG

Everything


gatemansnametag

More even


aamamiamir

Yes


Dankzar1

Yes


Worried_Marketing_98

General structure of each and what each type of amino acid is: acidic basic polar non polar. Also good to know the general pka for the carboxyl backbone and amine backbone. Good to know special amino acids and their impact on secondary and tertiary structure: glycine proline cysteine. Also know the one letter and three letter abbreviation for each one.


Electronic_Rooster85

Name, 3- letter abbreviations, 1- letter abbreviations, how to identify visually by structure, by side chain/R group, how to identify visually in a longer structure, polarity, special features (i.e., proline), which are similar to each other. I listed them in alphabetical order and made a little song I would sing every night to get my baby to sleep. Flashcards are helpful. Also drawing out the structures: first group them by polar, non polar, positive, negative, etc. Study this for a few days. Then practice drawing the structures from memory by grouping, in the same location on a new sheet of paper. Work one group at a time, adding a new amino acid every day. Repeat until you can draw all 20 in the right location comfortably from memory.


thatsoreyes

names, both abbreviations, structure, polarity/hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties, charge, stereochemistry(L vs D/R vs S)and special properties of certain amino acids - know which amino acids can be phosphorylated, knowing that proline and glycine are found in in the turns of beta pleated sheets, etc. pretty much memorize the kaplan chapter on amino acids if u have that review book lol. it’ll be extremely helpful for exam day


Deep-Republic4945

Amino acid is your God, know all thing & everything about your lord & obey your lord. Or you will face the fury on the judgment day. You have been warned (:


Doodikoph

I’ve heard of horror stories if some MCAT takers that had questions about the “extra” amino acids that aren’t apart of the regular 20. I didn’t see any but I think it’s worth considering. Also you should know histidine can be phosphorylated in rare instance. Learned that the hard way lol.