Amino Acids - Tryptophan

The Biology Project > Biochemistry > The Chemistry of Amino Acids

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Tryptophan W (Trp)

Chemical Properties:
    Aromatic
(Aromatic R-group) Physical Properties:
    Nonpolar



Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is the largest of the amino acids. It is also a derivative of alanine, having an indole substituent on the β carbon. The indole functional group absorbs strongly in the near ultraviolet part of the spectrum. The indole nitrogen can hydrogen bond donate, and as a result, tryptophan, or at least the nitrogen, is often in contact with solvent in folded proteins.

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The Biology Project > Biochemistry > The Chemistry of Amino Acids

The Biology Project
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
University of Arizona
August 25, 2003
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Chemical Properties: Aromatic (Aromatic R-group)	Physical Properties: Nonpolar
Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is the largest of the amino acids. It is also a derivative of alanine, having an indole substituent on the β carbon. The indole functional group absorbs strongly in the near ultraviolet part of the spectrum. The indole nitrogen can hydrogen bond donate, and as a result, tryptophan, or at least the nitrogen, is often in contact with solvent in folded proteins.