1.3: Properties of Amino Acids
- Page ID
- 165254
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- 1.3.1. Charged Nature of Amino Acid
- Proteins are probably the most important class of biochemical molecules, although of course lipids and carbohydrates are also essential for life. Proteins are the basis for the major structural components of animal and human tissue. Proteins are natural polymer molecules consisting of amino acid units. The number of amino acids in proteins may range from two to several thousand.
- 1.3.2. Stereochemistry of Amino Acids
- With the exception of glycine, all the 19 other common amino acids have a uniquely different functional group on the central tetrahedral alpha carbon.
Thumbnail: 3D model of L-tryptophan. Image used with permission (Public Domain; Benjah-bmm27).