Amino Acid Structure

The subject of amino acid structure encompasses a wide range of important elements. Amino acid | Definition, Structure, & Facts | Britannica. An amino acid is an organic molecule that is made up of a basic amino group (−NH 2), an acidic carboxyl group (−COOH), and an organic R group (or side chain) that is unique to each amino acid. Amino acid - Building Blocks, Structure, Functions | Britannica. Protein - Amino Acids, Structure, Function | Britannica. Since each protein molecule consists of a long chain of amino acid residues, linked to each other by peptide bonds, the hydrolytic cleavage of all peptide bonds is a prerequisite for the quantitative determination of the amino acid residues. Structure and properties of amino acids | Britannica.

Amino acids joined linearly by peptide bonds (see covalent bond) in a particular order make up peptides and proteins. Of over 100 natural amino acids, each with a different R group, only 20 make up the proteins of all living organisms. In relation to this, why Our Bodies Need Proteins | Amino Acids | Britannica.

Amino acids are comprised of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and sometimes, sulfur. Furthermore, each amino acid contains a carboxyl group, an amino group, a single hydrogen atom, and an “R” group, all attached to a central carbon. The R group is the only thing to change between different amino acids. Moreover, serine | Definition, Structure, & Function | Britannica.

Serine is an amino acid obtainable by hydrolysis of most common proteins, sometimes constituting 5 to 10 percent by weight of the total product. Building Blocks, Protein Synthesis & Metabolism - Britannica. Glycine is one of several so-called nonessential amino acids for mammals; i.e., they can synthesize it from the amino acids serine and threonine and from other sources and do not require dietary sources. Amino Acid, Protein Structure & Peptide Bonds - Britannica.

Its molecule contains a secondary amino group (>NH) rather than the primary amino group (>NH2) characteristic of most amino acids. Unlike other amino acids, proline, first isolated from casein (1901), is readily soluble in alcohol. Phenylalanine | Amino Acid, Protein, Metabolism | Britannica. In this context, first isolated in 1881 from lupine seedlings, phenylalanine is one of several essential amino acids for fowls and mammals; i.e., they cannot synthesize it and require dietary sources.

Building on this, alanine, either of two amino acids, one of which, L-alanine, or alpha-alanine (α-alanine), is a constituent of proteins. An especially rich source of L-alanine is silk fibroin, from which the amino acid was first isolated in 1879.