For example, the systematic name of alanine is 2-aminopropanoic acid, based on the formula CH 3−CH(NH 2)−COOH. It is thought that they play a key role in enabling life on Earth and its emergence.Īmino acids are formally named by the IUPAC-IUBMB Joint Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature in terms of the fictitious 'neutral' structure shown in the illustration. Beyond their role as residues in proteins, amino acids participate in a number of processes such as neurotransmitter transport and biosynthesis. In the form of proteins, amino acid residues form the second-largest component ( water being the largest) of human muscles and other tissues. Īmino acids can be classified according to the locations of the core structural functional groups, as alpha- (α-), beta- (β-), gamma- (γ-) or delta- (δ-) amino acids other categories relate to polarity, ionization, and side chain group type ( aliphatic, acyclic, aromatic, containing hydroxyl or sulfur, etc.). Only 22 alpha amino acids appear in the genetic code.

Although hundreds of amino acids exist in nature, by far the most important are the alpha-amino acids, which comprise proteins. Structure of a generic L-alpha-amino acid in the 'neutral' form needed for defining a systematic name, without implying that this form actually exists in detectable amounts either in aqueous solution or in the solid state.Īmino acids are organic compounds that contain both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups.

R letter chain images