Amino

Amino are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. They are the building blocks of life and play a crucial role in various biological processes. Amino acids are composed of an amine group, a carboxyl group, and a unique side chain that determines the characteristics of each amino acid.

Structure

Amino acids have a general structure consisting of a central carbon atom (the alpha carbon) bonded to four different groups: an amine group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain (R group). The side chain varies among different amino acids and determines their properties and functions.

Classification

Amino acids can be classified based on the properties of their side chains:

• Nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids: Alanine, Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, Proline
• Polar (hydrophilic) amino acids: Serine, Threonine, Cysteine, Tyrosine, Asparagine, Glutamine
• Acidic amino acids: Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid
• Basic amino acids: Lysine, Arginine, Histidine

Essential and Non-Essential Amino Acids

Amino acids are also categorized as essential or non-essential:

• Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained from the diet. These include Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine.
• Non-essential amino acids can be synthesized by the human body. These include Alanine, Asparagine, Aspartic acid, Glutamic acid, Serine, and others.

Functions

Amino acids play several critical roles in the body:

• They are the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for the structure, function, and regulation of the body's tissues and organs.
• They are involved in the synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.
• They play a role in metabolic pathways, gene expression, and cell signaling.

Metabolism

Amino acid metabolism involves the breakdown and synthesis of amino acids. The liver is the primary site for amino acid metabolism, where processes such as transamination, deamination, and the urea cycle occur.

Dietary Sources

Amino acids are obtained from dietary proteins found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

See Also

• Protein
• Peptide
• Enzyme
• Metabolism
• Nutrition