Basics of Amino Acids
Preapared by:
Mr. Rajat Kumar Parit, MSc. Agri ( Soil Science)
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
, AMINO ACIDS
• low molecular weight molecules
• Serve as building block of proteins
• Bifunctional compounds –
both acids and amines
So, defined as amino derivatives of
carboxylic acids
,Proteinogenic amino acid
• Proteinogenic literally means protein
building
• the 20 amino acids that are found in
proteins
• also known as standard, normal, or
primary amino acids
Non-proteinogenic amino acids
• not found in proteins
Special amino acids :
Derived from standard amino acids,
e.g., 4-hydroxyproline, 5-hydroxylysine etc.
, General structure of amino acid
The amino acids are crystalline solids with surprisingly high
melting points. It is in the 200 - 300°C range.
For the size of the molecules, this is very high. Something
unusual must be happening.
Reason : The crystal lattice of the amino acids is held
together by strong electrostatic forces.
Preapared by:
Mr. Rajat Kumar Parit, MSc. Agri ( Soil Science)
Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat
, AMINO ACIDS
• low molecular weight molecules
• Serve as building block of proteins
• Bifunctional compounds –
both acids and amines
So, defined as amino derivatives of
carboxylic acids
,Proteinogenic amino acid
• Proteinogenic literally means protein
building
• the 20 amino acids that are found in
proteins
• also known as standard, normal, or
primary amino acids
Non-proteinogenic amino acids
• not found in proteins
Special amino acids :
Derived from standard amino acids,
e.g., 4-hydroxyproline, 5-hydroxylysine etc.
, General structure of amino acid
The amino acids are crystalline solids with surprisingly high
melting points. It is in the 200 - 300°C range.
For the size of the molecules, this is very high. Something
unusual must be happening.
Reason : The crystal lattice of the amino acids is held
together by strong electrostatic forces.
