Amino Acid Chain: Types, Functions, Essential & Non-Essential Amino Acids

Amino acid chains play important roles in our bodies. It is responsible for the decomposition of food, the repair of body tissues, and the growth of the body. It is the body's building block and also plays a role in maintaining its pH level, and stores nitrogen in the body. Asparagine and glutamine are amino acid derivatives found in the body and play a role in retaining nitrogen in the body.

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This Story also Contains

1. Amino Acid Chains
2. Types Of Amino Acids
3. Essential Amino Acids
4. Non-Essential Amino Acids
5. Amino Acid Functions

Amino Acid Chains

Amino Acid Chains consist of (NH2) and carboxylic acids (-COOH- ) and organic side chains. Twenty different types of amino acids are used for the construction of proteins. Proteins can contain one or more chains of amino acids called polypeptides. The amino acid chain sequence causes the polypeptide to fold into a biologically active form.

It decomposes food, repairs body tissues, and makes the body grow. It is the body's building block and also plays a role in maintaining its pH level, and stores nitrogen in the body. Asparagine and glutamine are amino acid derivatives found in the body and play a role in retaining nitrogen in the body.

Types Of Amino Acids

Amino acids are classified into four types according to the position of their functional groups-

• Alpha amino acids

• Beta amino acids

• Gamma amino acids

• Delta amino acids

1. Alpha amino acids

Alpha amino acids are amino acids with an amine group attached to the alpha carbon atom. The general formula for alpha amino acids is H2NCHRCOOH, where R is an organic side chain.

Glycerine is an example of alpha amino acids.

2. Beta Amino Acids

Beta amino acids are amino acids in which the amine group is attached to the beta carbon atom of the carboxylic acid group. The general formula for beta amino acids is H2NCH2CH2COOH, where R is an organic side chain.

Lysine and arginine are examples of beta amino acids.

3. Gamma Amino Acids

Gamma amino acids are amino acids in which the amine group is attached to the gamma carbon atom of the carboxylic acid group. The general formula for the γ amino acid is C4H9NO2. 2-aminoisobutyric acid and aminobutyric acid are examples of gamma amino acids.

4. Delta Amino Acids

Delta amino acids are amino acids in which the amine group is attached to the delta carbon atom of the carboxylic acid group. The general formula for delta amino acids is C5H12NO2+.

The amino acids are divided into two types based on the position of the amine group in the Fischer projection-

• L-Amino Acids

• D-Amino Acids

L-Amino Acids

When plotted in a Fischer projection, L-amino acids have the amine group on the left, the carboxylic acid group on top, and the carbon chain on the bottom.

These are left-handed. That is, it rotates linearly polarized light clockwise. These have been replaced by the R notation, which the cell uses to synthesize proteins.

D-Amino Acids

When plotted in a Fischer projection, D-amino acids have the amine group on the right, the carboxylic acid group on top, and the carbon chain on the bottom.

These are dextrorotatory. That is, it rotates linearly polarized light counterclockwise. They have been replaced by the S notation and are found in bacterial cell walls.

We can classify amino acids into two types based on their production in the body-

• Essential Amino Acids

• Non-Essential Amino Acids

Essential Amino Acids

Essential amino acids are amino acids that are not synthesized by the body and are obtained from food.

• Helps build and repair body muscle tissue.

• 9 out of 20 amino acids are considered essential amino acids.

• It plays a vital role in transmission of the information to the brain.

Non-Essential Amino Acids

Non-essential Amino Acids are amino acids that are synthesized by the body and are not required in the diet.

• They plays an important role in removing toxins, synthesizing WBC and RBC, and promoting brain function.

• 11 out of 20 amino acids are considered non-essential amino acids.

• Examples of essential amino acids are arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, and tyrosine.

Amino Acid Functions

• Amino Acid helps remove toxins from the body.

• Helps protein synthesis and growth hormone.

• Helps produce glucose.

• Helps regulate sleep cycles.

• A deficiency of the amino acid can cause insomnia, depression, anorexia, edema, headaches, and anemia.