Which order of amino acids is represented in the mnemonic "Good Spaghetti Always Comes (with) Tomatos"?

• A. Pola-AA's
• B. Salt on the outside of a Banana
• C. Aromatic AA's
• D. Basic AA's

Answer: (A)

The mnemonic "Good Spaghetti Always Comes (with) Tomatos" represents the sequence of amino acids grouped by their side chain characteristics. In this case, it refers specifically to the polar amino acids. The order begins with glutamine, serine, asparagine, cysteine, with threonine as well and ends with tyrosine, which are all classified as polar due to their hydrophilic side chains.

The inclusion of the term "Good" represents Glycine, followed by the terms "Spaghetti" for Serine and so on. Each word corresponds to a specific polar amino acid that can participate in hydrogen bonding or interact well with water, emphasizing their polar nature. Remembering these specific amino acids helps students recognize the way they behave in biological systems, particularly in aqueous environments.

In contrast, other options relate to different groups of amino acids. For instance, aromatic amino acids would include phenylalanine and tryptophan, which are characterized by their non-polar aromatic side chains, while basic amino acids consist of histidine, lysine, and arginine, known for their positively charged side chains at physiological pH. The other mnemonics presented in the choices do not correspond to the polar amino acids, making