Amino Acids : Biochemistry And Nutrition Apr 2026

From a nutritional standpoint, amino acids are categorized based on the body's ability to synthesize them:

: They link together through peptide bonds to form long chains called polypeptides, which then fold into complex 3D structures to become functional proteins. Nutritional Classification

Amino acids are the fundamental building blocks of proteins, serving as essential organic compounds that regulate nearly every biological process in the human body. Beyond their role in protein synthesis, they act as critical precursors for hormones, neurotransmitters, and enzymes, while also providing a secondary source of energy.

: This variable side chain determines the specific chemical properties of each amino acid—such as its size, charge, and solubility—which ultimately dictates how a protein folds and functions.

: Amino acids can act as both acids and bases, allowing them to function as biological buffers that help maintain stable pH levels in the body.

Each of the 20 proteinogenic amino acids shares a common core structure: a central alpha-carbon atom bonded to an amino group ( ), a carboxyl group ( ), a hydrogen atom, and a unique (side chain).