Explanation of Amino Acids

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

Author: Aaditya