What is amino acid?

Amino acids are the basic units that make up proteins and are organic compounds containing amino (- NH ₂) and carboxyl (- COOH) groups. They are widely present in living organisms and are crucial for life activity137. The following are its core points:

1、 Composition and Structure

Composition elements

It mainly contains carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and some amino acids (such as cysteine and methionine) also contain sulfur (S) 456.

Basic structure

Each amino acid molecule contains an alpha carbon atom, connecting an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a side chain (R group). The differences in side chains determine the types and characteristics of amino acids.

2、 Classification

According to whether the human body can synthesize them autonomously, amino acids are divided into two categories:

essential amino acid 

Must be consumed through food, adults need 8 types: lysine, tryptophan, phenylalanine, methionine, threonine, isoleucine, leucine, valine; Babies also require histidine 13.

Non essential amino acids

The human body can synthesize substances such as glycine, alanine, glutamine, etc. on its own.

3、 Function and Importance

protein synthesis

Amino acids are connected by peptide bonds to form proteins, which make up tissues such as muscles, bones, and skin, and participate in the composition of enzymes and hormones.

metabolic regulation

Participate in energy metabolism, neurotransmitter transmission (such as glutamate, gamma aminobutyric acid), immune regulation (such as arginine, glutamine), etc. 11011.

Health function

Regulating immunity, promoting growth and development (such as arginine), improving sleep (such as gamma aminobutyric acid), anti fatigue, etc.

4、 Physical and chemical properties

amphoteric dissociation

Amino and carboxyl groups give amino acids acidity and alkalinity, and can exist in cationic, anionic, or facultative ion forms in different pH environments.

Solubility

Most are soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents; Specific amino acids (such as tyrosine) have a higher solubility in hot water.

5、 Application Fields

Medicine: As a pharmaceutical ingredient (such as insulin) and nutritional support agent 110.

Food: Seasoning agent (monosodium glutamate), nutritional fortifier 18.

Industry: Synthetic biomaterials, cosmetic raw materials (such as Ecrotoxin) 68.

summarize

Amino acids are the cornerstone of life activities, and their structural diversity and biological activity support protein function and metabolic regulation. Lack of essential amino acids may lead to weakened immunity, delayed development, and other issues, and should be consumed through a balanced diet or supplements.