What are amino acids? What are essential and nonessential amino acids?
Explanation of Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic compounds with carboxyl and amino groups on either end, along with a side chain, R
· These contain carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen as essential elements
· Along with these elements, some other elements may also be present depending on the type of amino acid
· These are building blocks of proteins
· Amino acids unite to form specific proteins
· There are 20 amino acids in the human body
Essential amino acids –
Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body are known as essential amino acids. They are required to be taken from other dietary products and supplements. They are –
Isoleucine, Valine, Threonine, Histidine, Methionine, Tryptophan, Leucine, Phenylalanine, Lysine.
Semi-essential amino acids –
Certain amino acids can be synthesized by the body and can be distressed under certain pathological conditions. They are –
Arginine, Cysteine, Glutamine, Glycine, Proline, Tyrosine
Nonessential amino acids –
These are those amino acids that can be synthesized by the body and are not required from any sources. They are –
Aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, serine
Amino acids are essential biomolecules required by the body.
I hope this helps!!
– Written By Manpreet
