Amino
Acids on Earth
by
Betsy.
1.
The properties of Tryptophan are:
-
Neutral, hydrophobic
-
Has an Indole and Aromatic ring
-
Hyrdrogen bond donor
-
Can be found in alpha helix
or beta sheet
2.
A derivative of Tryptophan would be:
3.
An interesting biological or pharmaceutical role of this tryptophan derivative
is:
-
5-HTP is the precursor for the
neurotransmitter serotonin. It can be used to treat several disorders
including depression, insomnia, addiction and obsessive/compulsive behavior
by increasing the levels of serotonin. 5-HTP also helps with the
desire to overeat which is thought to be caused by inadequate serotonin
levels.
4.
On a biosphere on a distant planet outside our solar system, a different
but related amino acid is found:
-
On planet Mantacore, the advanced
species know as the X-series uses lydecker, a methylated form of tryptophan,
to prevent seizures caused by a genetic inbalence in the brain.
