Summary
Twenty building blocks, each with an amino group, a carboxyl group and a variable side chain.
In depth
The alpha carbon bonds to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen and an R group. R groups can be nonpolar, polar, acidic or basic, which determines where they sit in a folded protein: hydrophobic ones inside, hydrophilic outside.
Nine are essential for humans and must come from the diet. At physiological pH amino acids exist as zwitterions with both charges, which lets them act as buffers.
Frequently asked questions
What is Amino Acids?
Twenty building blocks, each with an amino group, a carboxyl group and a variable side chain.
Which area of biology covers Amino Acids, and how advanced is it?
Amino Acids is one of the 51 topics in Biomolecules & Biochemistry. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Tertiary Structure, Water Properties, Carbon Chemistry.
Can you give an example of Amino Acids?
Cysteine side chains can form disulfide bridges that stabilise protein structure.
What should I learn before Amino Acids?
Amino Acids is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Biomolecules & Biochemistry that pair well with it include Water Properties, Carbon Chemistry, Carbohydrates.
What topics are related to Amino Acids?
The closest topics to Amino Acids are Tertiary Structure, Water Properties, Carbon Chemistry, Denaturation. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Amino Acids?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Amino Acids. To practise the whole of Biomolecules & Biochemistry, use the Biomolecules & Biochemistry quiz.
How is Amino Acids different from Tertiary Structure?
Amino Acids: Twenty building blocks, each with an amino group, a carboxyl group and a variable side chain. Tertiary Structure: The overall three-dimensional shape of one polypeptide, held by side-chain interactions and disulfide bridges. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Amino Acids step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Tertiary Structure and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Biomolecules & Biochemistry quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.