Amino acids

amino acids

The basic constituent of protein. Amino acids can be considered to be the ‘alphabet’ of letters from which proteins are written. Their properties are determined by their side chains. Body protein breaks down into 20 different amino acids. Some of these can be synthesized by the body but some can not. The latter are known as ‘essential amino acids’ and must be obtained from protein in the diet. Amino acids group together to form peptides. Linkages between amino acids are called peptide bonds. Dipeptides have two amino acids, polypeptides have many. Polypeptides join to form proteins. The reverse process occurs when proteins are digested. Some amino acids, such as glycine, arginine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, also perform specific biological functions in addition to helping to form proteins. The German organic chemist Emil Fischer (1825–1919) elicited an understanding of amino acids, peptides and proteins which was of fundamental importance in the development of organic chemistry and biochemistry. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1902. See also STEREOISOMERS.

Collins Dictionary of Medicine © Robert M. Youngson 2004, 2005

Amino acids

Proteins are made up of organic compounds called amino acids. The human body uses amino acids to build and repair body tissue. The body can make some of its own amino acids from other nutrients in the diet; these are called non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids are those that cannot be made by the body but must be consumed in the diet. Animal proteins (like meat, eggs, fish, and milk) provide all of the amino acids.

Mentioned in: Albinism, Hartnup Disease, Hemoglobinopathies

Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

Patient discussion about Amino acids

Q. what are Amino Acids and what are their for? how do i need to do to keep it "going "?

A. Amino acids are the basic structural building units of proteins. They form short polymer chains called peptides or longer chains called either polypeptides or proteins. The process of such formation from an mRNA template is known as translation, which is part of protein biosynthesis. Twenty amino acids are encoded by the standard genetic code and are called proteinogenic or standard amino acids. Other amino acids contained in proteins are usually formed by post-translational modification, which is modification after translation in protein synthesis. These modifications are often essential for the function or regulation of a protein; for example, the carboxylation of glutamate allows for better binding of calcium cations, and the hydroxylation of proline is critical for maintaining connective tissues and responding to oxygen starvation. For full article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid Hope this helps.

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