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Amino acids
Amino acids are the basic structural building
units of proteins.
They form short polymer chains called peptides
or longer chains called either polypeptides or
proteins.
The process of such formation from an mRNA
template is known as translation which is part of
protein biosynthesis.
Twenty amino acids are encoded by the
standard genetic code and are called
proteinogenic or standard amino acids.
Other amino acids contained in proteins are
usually formed by post-translational modification,
which is modification after translation in protein
synthesis.
These modifications are often essential for the
function or regulation of a protein; for example,
the carboxylation of glutamate allows for better
binding of calcium cations, and the hydroxylation
of proline is critical for maintaining connective
tissues and responding to oxygen starvation.
Such modifications can also determine the
localization of the protein, e.g., the addition of
Peptide bond formation
Classification of amino
acids
Amino acids have been classified in various
(1)Non-polar aliphatic R-groups
ways.
(2)Polar uncharged R-groups
(3)Positively charged (basic) R-
groups
(4)Negatively charged (acidic)
R groups
Proteins
Protein
The word protein is derived from Greek word,
proteios which means primary.
As the name shows, the proteins are of
paramount importance for biological systems.
Out of the total dry body weight, 3/4ths are
made up of proteins.
Proteins are used for body building; all the
major structural
and functional aspects of the body are carried out
by protein molecules.
Abnormality in protein structure will lead to
molecular diseases with profound alterations in
Proteins contain Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen and
Nitrogen as the major components while Sulphur
and Phosphorus are minor constituents.
Nitrogen is characteristic of proteins.
On an average, the nitrogen content of ordinary
proteins is 16% by weight.
All proteins are polymers of amino acids.
Properties of proteins