Elementary idea of amino acids

Introduction 

A protein’s amino acid structure contains both basic amino groups (-NH2) and carboxyl groups (-COOH) (-COOH). Peptides and proteins are both long chains of amino acids that contain a number of amino acids. There are a total of twenty amino acids, all of which are involved in the production of proteins.

List of twenty amino acids

The names of twenty amino acids, as well as their chemical formulas, are:-

Alanine  C3H7NO2

Leucine C6H13NO2

Aspartic

Acid C4H7NO4

Lysine C6H14N2O2

Asparagine

C4H8N2O3

Methionine

C5H11NO2S

Arginine C6H14N4O2

Proline C5H9NO2

Cytosine C4H5N3O

Phenylalanine

C9H11NO2

Cysteine C3H7NO7S

Serine C3H7NO3

Glycine C2H5NO2

Tyrosine C9H11NO3

Glutamine C5H10N2O3

Threonine C4H9NO3

Histidine C6H9N3O2

Tryptophan

C11H12N2O2

Isoleucine

C6H13NO2

Valine C5H11NO2

 Characteristics of Amino Acid

Amino Acids have a variety of characteristics in general. They are:-

1. These substances have extremely high melting and boiling points.
2. Amino acids are crystalline solids that are white in colour.
3. In terms of flavour, only a few amino acids are sweet, tasteless, or bitter.
4. In water, the majority of amino acids are soluble, while they are insoluble in organic solvents.
5. Amino Acids, both essential and non-essential
6. Our bodies can easily synthesise a few amino acids, which are referred to as non-essential amino acids, out of the total of 20 amino acids. Their names are alanine, asparagine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteine, glutamine, proline, glycine, serine, and tyrosine. They are also known as amino acids.
7. Aside from these, there are nine additional amino acids that are absolutely necessary because our bodies are unable to synthesise them. Isoleucine, histidine, lysine, leucine, phenylalanine, phenylalanine phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine, threonine, and valine are some of the essential amino acids that are required by the body.

There are 20 amino acids found in nature, all of which share the same structural characteristics – an amino group (-NH3+), a carboxylate group (-COO-), and a hydrogen bond to the same carbon atom – that distinguish them from one another. They differ from one another in the presence of a side-chain known as the R group. Each amino acid has four different groups attached to the – carbon of the amino acid.

Sources of Amino Acid

• A variety of biological and chemical functions are performed by amino acids in various parts of the human body, including the building and repairing of tissues, the formation and function of enzymes, food digestion, the transportation of molecules, and many other functions. 
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• Amino acids are essential for the growth and repair of tissues, the formation and function of enzymes, and the digestion of food. Only a few amino acids can be synthesised by our bodies, and the rest of the amino acids, known as essential amino acids, must be obtained through the consumption of protein-rich foods in our daily diet. 
• Plant-based foods that are high in amino acids include broccoli, beans, beetroots, pumpkin, cabbage, nuts, dried fruits, chia seeds, oats, peas, carrots, cucumber, green leafy vegetables, onions, soybeans, whole grain, peanuts, legumes, lentils, and other legumes, among other things. 
• Apples, bananas, berries, figs, grapes, melons, oranges, papaya, pineapple, and pomegranates are some of the fruits that are high in amino acids.
•  Dairy products, eggs, seafood, chicken, meat, and pork, among other things, are considered animal products.

Important functions of Amino Acids

• Phenylalanine contributes to the maintenance of a healthy nervous system as well as the enhancement of memory power.When it comes to promoting muscle growth, valine is an essential component.
• Threonine is an amino acid that aids in the promotion of the immune system’s functions.
• Tryptophan is a precursor to the production of vitamin B3 and the serotonin hormone, among other things. Among its many functions, this serotonin hormone helps us maintain our appetite, regulate our sleep, and improve our moods.
• Isoleucine is essential in the formation of haemoglobin, in stimulating the production of insulin by the pancreas, and in transporting oxygen from the lungs to the various organs and tissues of the body.
• Methionine is used in the treatment of kidney stones, the maintenance of healthy skin, and the prevention of pathogenic bacteria from invading the body.
• Leucine is involved in the production of protein and the production of growth hormones.
• Lysine is required for the production of antibodies, hormones, and enzymes, as well as for the development and fixation of calcium in the bones, among other things.
• Histidine is involved in a variety of enzymatic processes, as well as the formation of red blood cells (erythrocytes) and white blood cells (erythrocytes) (leukocytes).

Functions of Non-Essential Amino Acids 

Amino acids serve a variety of functions, including the removal of toxins from our bodies and the production of glucose and other amino acids.

• Cysteine acts as an antioxidant, increasing our body’s resistance to disease, and inhibiting the growth of hair, nails, and other body hair.
• Glutamine is essential for the synthesis of nucleic acids, which include DNA and RNA, and for the maintenance of normal brain function.
• Glycine is beneficial in ensuring proper cell growth and function, and it also plays an important role in the healing of wounds and other injuries. It has the function of a neurotransmitter.
• Glutamic acid functions as a neurotransmitter and is primarily responsible for the development and proper functioning of the human nervous system.
• Arginine aids in the production of proteins and hormones, the detoxification of waste products in the kidneys, the healing of wounds, and the maintenance of a healthy immune system, among other things.
• Tyrosine is required for the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4, as well as the synthesis of a class of neurotransmitters and melanin, which is a natural pigment found in our eyes, hair, and skin. Tyrosine is also required for the production of the thyroid hormones T3 and T4.
• Serine aids helps in the promotion of muscle growth as well as the synthesis of immune system proteins.Among its many functions, asparagine is involved in the transportation of nitrogen into our body cells, the formation of purines and pyrimidines for use in DNA synthesis, the development of the nervous system, and the improvement of our overall body stamina.

• Aspartic acid is an amino acid that is important in the metabolism of other amino acids as well as the synthesis of other amino acids.
• Proline is primarily involved in the repair of tissues through the formation of collagen, the prevention of the thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries (arteriosclerosis), and the regeneration of new skin. Proline is also involved in the regeneration of new skin.

Deficiency 

The amino acid deficiency is the cause of the problem. The amino acid building blocks of proteins, as previously stated, are essential for nearly all aspects of life. Proteins also play a critical role in the development of many diseases. Consequently, it is necessary to include all nine essential amino acids in our daily diet to ensure that our bodies continue to function in an optimally healthy manner.

Diseases due to lack of amino acids

A lack of amino acids can result in a variety of pathological conditions, including the following:

Edemanemiansomnia.

Diarrhoea.

Depression.

Hypoglycemia.

Appetite loss is a common occurrence.

The accumulation of fat in the liver.

Skin and hair problems are a common occurrence.

Headache, weakness, irritability, and fatigue are all common side effects.

Conclusion

Therefore, we can conclude that amino Acids have a variety of characteristics in general, like having extremely high melting and boiling points. Amino acids are crystalline solids that are white in colour. Our bodies can easily synthesise a few amino acids, which are referred to as non-essential amino acids, out of the total of 20 amino acids. Their names are alanine, asparagine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, cysteine, glutamine, proline, glycine, serine, and tyrosine. They are also known as amino acids.