1. Polypeptides and proteins are formed by the condensation reactions of amino acids.

(a) Give the general structural formula of a 2-amino acid

RCH(NH2)COOH; 1

(1)

(b) Give the structural formula of the dipeptide formed by the reaction of alanine and
glycine.

State the other substance formed during this reaction.

H2NCH(CH3)CONHCH2COOH / H2NCH2CONHCH(CH3)COOH
water/H2O; 2

(c) State two functions of proteins in the body.

structure/catalysis or enzymes/energy source/oxygen transport; 2
Any two, [1] each. Accept specific structures, e.g. hair, muscle.

(2)
(Total 5 marks)

5. The structures of the amino acids cysteine and serine are shown in Table 20 of the Data
Booklet. They can react with each other to form a dipeptide.

(a) State the type of reaction occurring when amino acids react together and identify
the other product of the reaction.

.Condensation

Water
(2)

(b) Draw the structures of the two possible dipeptides formed in the reaction between
one molecule of each of cysteine and serine.

H 2 NC H C O N H C H C O O H
;
C 2H S H C 2H O H

H 2 NC H C O N H C H C O O H
;
C 2H O H C 2H S H

(2)

1
(c) Six tripeptides can be formed by reacting together one molecule of each of the amino
acids arginine, histidine and leucine. Predict the primary structures of these six tripeptides
using the symbols shown in Table 20 of the Data Booklet to represent the amino acids.

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................

.....................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 7 marks)

(c) arg–his–leu;
arg–leu–his;
his–arg–leu;
his–leu–arg;
leu–arg–his;
leu–his–arg; 3 max
Award [3] for all six correct, [2] for five or four,
[1] for three.
[7]
7. (a) (i) Deduce the structure of one of the dipeptides that can be formed
when the two aminoacids below react together.

O O

H 2 N C HC O H H 2 N C HC O H

C H C 3H
C 3H C 3H

ANSWER -

O H O H O
O
H 2 NC H C N C C H H 2 NC H C N CC OH H
O H
C H C 3H C 3H C H
C 3H C 3H C 3H C 3H

(2)

(ii) State the name given to this type of reaction and identify the other product of
the reaction.

condensation;
H2O/water
(2)

3
 The structures of the amino acids glycine and serine are shown in Table 20 of the Data
Booklet.

(i) Draw the structure of one of the dipeptides formed when one molecule of glycine
and one molecule of serine react together. Show all the bonds in the link between the
two molecules.

ANSWER –

H 2 N C 2H C N C H C O O H

O H C 2H O H

O R
O H

H 2 NC H C N C 2H C O O H

C 2H O H

Award [1] for peptide bonds correctly shown in full and a

further [1] if rest of structure correct.
If peptide bond abbreviated, eg −CO−NH− but structure
otherwise correct, award [1].
(2)

(ii) State the type of reaction occurring and identify the other product of the reaction.

condensation and water/H2O

(1)
(Total 3 marks)

13. The structures of the amino acids glycine and serine are shown in Table 20 of the Data
Booklet. Draw the structure of one of the dipeptides formed when one molecule of glycine
and one molecule of serine react together. Show all the bonds in the link between the two
molecules.
(Total 2 marks)

H 2 NC 2H C N C H C O O H Award [1] for peptide bonds correctly

shown in full and a further [1] if rest of
O H C 2H O H structure correct.
If peptide bond abbreviated,
eg −CO−NH− but structure
O H otherwise correct, award [1].

H 2 N C H C N C 2H C O O H

C 2H O H
O R