Question

How many different pentapeptides can be formed using five different amino acids?

Short answer

There are 120 different pentapeptides that can be formed using the five different amino acids. This is calculated using permutations: \(Permutations = 5 * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1 = 120\).

Step-by-step solution

Understand the problem

We are given that there are five different amino acids. We are to find the total number of ways to arrange these amino acids in a sequence of length 5 to form distinct pentapeptides.

Calculate permutations

For the first position in the sequence, there are 5 possible amino acids that can be placed. For each of those choices, there are 4 remaining options for the second position, 3 options for the third position, 2 options for the fourth position, and only 1 option for the final position. To calculate the total number of ways to arrange the five amino acids, we can find the number of permutations: \(Permutations = 5 * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1\)

Calculate the result

Now, let's calculate the total number of permutations: \(Permutations = 5 * 4 * 3 * 2 * 1 = 120\) There are 120 different pentapeptides that can be formed using the five different amino acids.

Key concepts

Pentapeptides

Pentapeptides are a type of peptide that consists of five amino acid residues linked together in a chain. In chemistry and biology, peptides like these are crucial because they can have various biological roles, such as functioning as hormones or enzymes. Each pentapeptide is unique based on both the sequence and the type of amino acids it contains.
Pentapeptides are fundamental to studying proteins, as they represent shorter sequences that still provide insight into how proteins function. In this exercise, by arranging five amino acids in different orders, each permutation produces a distinct pentapeptide. This means the sequence of amino acids is crucial in determining the pentapeptide's properties and functions.

Amino Acids

Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins, the building blocks of life. There are 20 standard amino acids found in proteins, and each one has a unique side chain that defines its characteristics. These side chains influence the amino acid's ability to interact with other molecules and determine the protein's final structure and function.

• The structure of an amino acid consists of a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain (R group).
• Amino acids are linked by peptide bonds, which form through a dehydration synthesis reaction, creating long chains known as peptides or proteins.
• The specific sequence of amino acids in a protein determines its final structure, which consequently influences its role and function within biological systems.

Understanding the properties of each amino acid can help predict how they interact and form structured pentapeptides.

Combinatorial Chemistry

Combinatorial chemistry is a technique used to create large chemical libraries in which millions of compounds can be synthesized quickly and screened for desired properties. In the context of peptides, combinatorial chemistry involves generating a diverse range of peptides, including pentapeptides, by systematically varying the combination of amino acids.
This approach is crucial for drug discovery and development, where finding compounds with precise biological activity is necessary. Through combinatorial methods, researchers can efficiently explore a vast molecular space to identify potential candidates that might serve as novel drugs or biological tools.
Producing pentapeptides using combinatorial chemistry allows scientists to test various sequences for their biological activity, stability, and interaction with biological targets, thereby speeding up the discovery process.