Replacing alanine by which amino acid will increase UV absorbances of protein at 280 nm wavelength
**Core Concept:**
The question is asking about the effect of replacing the amino acid alanine with another amino acid on the UV absorbance of a protein at 280 nm wavelength. Amino acids contain a side chain that can absorb ultraviolet light, causing the protein to absorb light at 280 nm wavelength. This property is used for estimating the concentration of proteins in a solution.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**
The correct answer is **Tryptophan (T)** because it has a large and diverse side chain that can absorb light at 280 nm wavelength. Replacing alanine with tryptophan will increase the UV absorbance of the protein at this wavelength. Tryptophan is known for its strong absorption in the UV region, which contributes to the protein's overall UV absorbance.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. **Cysteine (C):** Cysteine has a thiol group that can also absorb light, but not as strongly as tryptophan. Replacing alanine with cysteine will still increase the protein's UV absorbance, but less than with tryptophan.
B. **Phenylalanine (P):** Phenylalanine has a phenylalanine side chain that can absorb light, but not as strongly as tryptophan. Replacing alanine with phenylalanine will increase the protein's UV absorbance but less than with tryptophan.
C. **Glycine (G):** Glycine has a very small and simple side chain, which does not contribute significantly to protein UV absorbance. Replacing alanine with glycine will have a minimal effect on the protein's UV absorbance.
D. **Leucine (L):** Leucine has a large and branched side chain, but it does not absorb UV light as strongly as tryptophan. Replacing alanine with leucine will increase the protein's UV absorbance, but less than with tryptophan.
**Clinical Pearl:**
Understanding the UV absorbance of proteins is crucial in biochemistry and molecular biology research. It helps in estimating protein concentration, monitoring protein folding, and studying protein-protein interactions. The choice of amino acids can significantly impact the protein's UV absorbance, making tryptophan the best option for this purpose.
**Correct Answer Explanation:**
The correct answer is **Tryptophan (T)** because it has a large and diverse indole ring system, which contributes strongly to protein UV absorbance at 280 nm wavelength. Replacing alanine with tryptophan will significantly increase the protein's UV absorbance at 280 nm wavelength. This is essential in estimating protein concentration and studying protein-protein interactions in various biological processes.