Amino acids refer to the molecular structure consisting of both amine and carboxyl functional groups.

Referred to as alpha-amino acids in Biochemistry, typically it is defined with the formula H2NCHRCOOH
where R stands for organic substitute. Amino acids can be called as the building blocks of our life.

They get combined in an unlimited number of configurations to construct all the required proteins with
which our body is built. There are essentially 20 common amino acids that keep us alive, healthy and
energetic. If deficiency occurs in an individual amino acid, it may create serious problem to our health
system. The name of these 20 common amino acids is as follows: alanine, arginine, asparagine,
aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine,
phenylalaine, proline, serine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine.

Alanine

It is one of the most significant among the 20 common amino acids. It offers energy to your system. It
releases into the blood stream during exercise time and induces carbohydrate-consuming effect to the
health system. It promotes enhancement in the area of protein synthesis and nitrogen balance.

Arginine

Synthesized normally in the body, arginine is known to be a semi-essential amino acid. Sometimes more
is required than normal production. Deficiencies may include poor wound healing, weakness in muscles,
hair loss, irritations in skin, and constipation.

Asparagine

It is one of the 20 common amino acids. It is needed to maintain homeostatic balance in the nervous
system. Amino acid transformation and ammonia synthesis are largely dependent on asparagine.

Aspartic Acid

Aspartic acid is one of two acidic amino acids belonging to the group of 20 common amino acids. It
promotes enzyme activity, maintenance of solubility in the body, as well as homeostasis in ionic
characters of proteins.

Cysteine

It is present only at the rate of 2.8% into proteins but it provides the 3-dimensional stability of the protein
molecule. It also plays a crucial role in the metabolic process of many important enzymes.

Glutamic Acid

It is one of the important amino acid among all 20 common amino acids. It is responsible for
transportation of glutamate and other amino acids to the blood barrier.

Glutamine

Glutamine is able to eliminate excess ammonia from the body system. It enhances immune system. Apart
from that, glutamine possesses anti-anxiety property that permits the mind to be relaxed.

Glycine

Glycine is known as the second most common among the group of amino acids. It helps transforming
harmful toxic substances within the body to a non-toxic form.

Histidine

Histidine is required for infant development. Histidine deficiency may result in eczema, a kind of skin
disease. There are few genetic disorders that promote non-metabolic state for histidine. This results in
speech disorders and mental retardations among infants and toddlers.

Isoleucine

This amino acid is particularly important for stimulating the brain in order to produce mental alertness.

Leucine

It is particularly effective in producing other essential biochemical compounds in the body. These
chemicals are important for producing bodily energy and mental alertness.

Lysine

Lysine is one of the most important amino acid among all 20 common amino acids. It functions against
herpes virus in particular by providing body required nutritional supplements.

Methionine

It is an essential amino acid which functions at initiating the translation of messenger RNA.

Phenylalaine

This amino acid profoundly affects brain cells at biochemical level.

Proline

It significantly affects human nutrition. It is believed to act as a source of nitrogen.

Serine

Serine is intimately related to various bodily functions such as fat metabolism, tissue growth,
enhancement of immune system and many more. It is an essential ingredient of brain protein.

Threonine

It helps in maintaining protein balance and also in assisting collagen formation.

Tryptophan

This is particularly needed in the body for the production of vitamin B3.

Tyrosine

This is crucial in building link between dopamine and norepinephrine. It also reduces fat by suppressing
appetite.
Valine

It is effective in promoting tissue growth and maintaining nitrogen balance in the health system.
Classifications of Amino Acids
Experts classify amino acids based on a variety of features, including whether
people can acquire them through diet. Accordingly, scientists recognize three
amino acid types:
1. Nonessential
2. Essential
3. Conditionally essential
However, the classification as essential or nonessential does not actually reflect
their importance, as all 20 amino acids are necessary for human health.
Eight of these amino acids are essential (or indispensable) and cannot be
produced by the body. They are:
• Leucine
• Isoleucine
• Lysine
• Threonine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Valine
• Tryptophan
Histidine is an amino acid that is categorized as semi-essential since the human
body doesn't always need it to properly function; therefore, dietary sources of it
are not always essential. Meanwhile, conditionally essential amino acids aren't
usually required in the human diet, but do become essential under certain
circumstances.
Finally, nonessential amino acids are produced by the human body either from
essential amino acids or from normal protein breakdowns. Nonessential amino
acids include:
• Asparagine
• Alanine
• Arginine
• Aspartic acid
• Cysteine
• Glutamic acid
• Glutamine
• Proline
• Glycine
• Tyrosine
• Serine
An additional amino acids' classification depends upon the side chain
structure, and experts recognize these five as:
• Cysteine and Methionine (amino acids containing sulfur)
• Asparagine, Serine, Threonine, and Glutamine (neutral amino acids)
• Glutamic acid and Aspartic acid (acidic); and Arginine and Lysine (basic)
• Leucine, Isoleucine, Glycine, Valine, and Alanine (aliphatic amino acids)
• Phenylalanine, Tryptophan, and Tyrosine (aromatic amino acids)
One final amino acid classification is categorized by the side chain structure
that divides the list of 20 amino acids into four groups - two of which are the main
groups and two that are subgroups. They are:
1. Non-polar
2. Polar
3. Acidic and polar
4. Basic and polar
For example, side chains having pure hydrocarbon alkyl or aromatic groups are
considered non-polar, and these amino acids are comprised of Phenylalanine,
Glycine, Valine, Leucine, Alanine, Isoleucine, Proline, Methionine, and
Tryptophan. Meanwhile, if the side chain contains different polar groups like
amides, acids, and alcohols, they are classified as polar. Their list includes
Tyrosine, Serine, Asparagine, Threonine, Glutamine, and Cysteine. If the side
chain contains a carboxylic acid, the amino acids in the acidic-polar classification
are Aspartic Acid and Glutamic Acid. Furthermore, if the side chain consists of a
carboxylic acid and basic-polar, these amino acids are Lysine, Arginine, and
Histidine.
Properties of Amino Acids

The properties of α-amino acids are complex, yet simplistic in that every
molecule of an amino acid involves two functional groups: carboxyl (-COOH) and
amino (-NH2).
As well, each molecule contains a side chain or an R group. And while alanine is
an example of a standard amino acid (which is used in the biosynthesis of
proteins), each R group has very different properties and functions.
Amino acids are crystalline solids which have the capacity to dissolve in water.
Meanwhile, they only dissolve sparingly in organic solvents, and the extent of
their solubility depends on the size and nature of the side chain. Amino acids
feature very high melting points - up to 200-300°C with other properties varying
for each particular amino acid.
Amino acids are classified in a variety of ways, but another of these is aromatic
and aliphatic where aromatic is a special type of ring-shaped molecule, and it is
characterized by an unusual stabilizing property. Aliphatic is non-aromatic.
Amino acids tend to evolve slower than DNA. However, changes in DNA do not
affect amino acid properties or functions.
20 Amino Acids and their Functions
Only twenty amino acids are most normally found as compounds of human
peptides and proteins. These naturally occurring amino acids are used by cells
so as to synthesize peptides and proteins. They are typically identified by this
rather generic formula: H2NCHRCOOH.
The primary difference among the twenty amino acids is the structure of the R
group. So, next we will take a close look at the 20 essential amino acids and their
respective functions.
Non-polar, aliphatic residues
Glycine (G/Gly). Slices DNA in order to produce different
amino acids. One of the three most important glycogenic
amino acids. Read more about Glycine.

Alanine (A/Ala). Important source of energy for muscle.

One of the three most important glycogenic amino acids.
The primary amino acid in sugar metabolism. Boosts
immune system by producing antibodies. Read more
about Alanine.
Valine (V/Val). Essential for muscle development. Read
more about Valine.

Leucine (L/Leu). Beneficial for skin, bone and tissue wound

healing. Read more about Leucine.

Isoleucine (I/Ile). Necessary for the synthesis of

hemoglobin. Read more about Isoleucine.
 Proline (P/Pro). Critical component of cartilage; aids in joint
health, tendons and ligaments. Keeps heart muscle strong.
Read more about Proline.

Aromatic residues
Phenylalanine (F/Phe). Beneficial for healthy
nervous system. It boosts memory and learning.
Read more about Phenylalanine.

Tyrosine (Y/Tyr). Precursor of dopamine,

norepinephrine and adrenaline. Increases energy,
improves mental clarity and concentration, can treat
some depressions. Read more about Tyrosine.

Tryptophan (W/Trp). Necessary for neurotransmitter

serotonin (synthesis). Effective sleep aid, due to
conversion to serotonin. Reduces anxiety and some
forms of depression. Treats migraine headaches.
Stimulates growth hormone. Read more
about Tryptophan.

Polar, non-charged residues

Serine (S/Ser). One of the three most important
glycogenic amino acids, the others being alanine and
glycine. Maintains blood sugar levels, and boosts
immune system. Myelin sheaths contain serine. Read
more about Serine.

Threonine (T/Thr). Required for formation of collagen.

Helps prevent fatty deposits in liver. Aids in antibodies'
production. Read more about Threonine.

Cysteine (C/Cys). Protective against radiation,

pollution, and ultra-violet light. Detoxifier; necessary for
growth and repair of skin. Read more about Cysteine.
 Methionine (M/Met). An antioxidant. Helps in
breakdown of fats and aids in reducing muscle
degeneration. Read more about Methionine.

Asparagine (N/Asn). One of the two main excitatory

neurotransmitters. Read more about Asparagine.

Glutamine (Q/Gln). Essential for helping to maintain

normal and steady blood sugar levels. Helps muscle
strength and endurance. Gastrointestinal function;
provides energy to small intestines. Read more
about Glutamine.

Positively charged residues

Lysine (L/Lys). Component of muscle protein,
and is needed in the synthesis of enzymes and
hormones. It is also a precursor for L-carathine,
which is essential for healthy nervous system
function. Read more about Lysine.
Arginine (R/Arg). One of the two main excitatory
neurotransmitters. May increase endurance and
decrease fatigue. Detoxifies harmful chemicals.
Involved in DNA synthesis. Read more
about Arginine.

Histidine (H/His). Found in high concentrations

in hemoglobin. Treats anemia; has been used to
treat rheumatoid arthritis. Read more
about Histidine.

Negatively charged residues

Aspartate (D/Asp). Increases stamina and helps protect
the liver; DNA and RNA metabolism; immune system
function. Read more about Aspartate.
Glutamate (E/Glu). Neurotransmitter that is involved in
DNA synthesis. Read more about Glutamate.