Amino Acid Flashcards

Amino Acids Overview

• Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins, essential for various bodily functions.
• There are 20 standard amino acids that are crucial in human biology.

Individual Amino Acids

• Alanine: Non-polar, aliphatic amino acid; important for protein synthesis and energy production.
• Arginine: Semi-essential amino acid; plays a role in protein synthesis, immune function, and detoxification.
• Asparagine: Polar amino acid; involved in the synthesis of proteins and metabolism of nitrogen.
• Aspartic Acid: Acidic amino acid; contributes to the synthesis of other amino acids and neurotransmission.
• Cysteine: Contains sulfur; important for the formation of disulfide bonds in proteins.
• Glutamic Acid: Acidic amino acid; serves as a neurotransmitter and plays a role in cellular metabolism.
• Glutamine: Abundant amino acid in the body; critical for immune function and gut health.
• Glycine: Simplest amino acid; involved in the synthesis of proteins and neurotransmitters.
• Histidine: Essential amino acid; important for growth, tissue repair, and hemoglobin formation.
• Isoleucine: Branched-chain amino acid; crucial for energy production and muscle metabolism.
• Leucine: Promotes protein synthesis; plays a critical role in muscle recovery and regulation of blood sugar levels.
• Lysine: Essential for the production of all proteins; supports calcium absorption and hormone production.
• Methionine: Contains sulfur; vital for metabolism and detoxification processes in the body.
• Phenylalanine: Precursor of neurotransmitters; essential for proper growth and functioning of organisms.
• Proline: Contributes to collagen production; important for skin and joint health.
• Serine: Involved in the metabolism of fats and fatty acids; plays a role in immune function.
• Threonine: Essential amino acid; important for protein synthesis and maintenance of muscle mass.
• Tryptophan: Precursor to serotonin; involved in mood regulation and sleep patterns.
• Tyrosine: Precursor for neurotransmitters like dopamine; essential for the production of melanin.
• Valine: Branched-chain amino acid; important for muscle metabolism and tissue repair.