More pages in this category (in alphabetical order):
Tryptophan
Amino Acids
Amino acids are important biological units that are sometimes called the "building
blocks" of proteins because many amino
acids together form proteins. Proteins form a significant proportion of
the structure
of cells, cells being
the basic functional units of living organisms.
Chemistry of Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic compounds that include both an amino group, and a carboxyl group.
The term "organic
compound"
refers to substances whose molecular structure is based on the
presence and properties of the element carbon, whose chemical symbol is C.
An "amino group" is
a group of atoms arranged in a particular configuration that
includes the elements nitrogen and hydrogen and is represented by
-NH2.
A "carboxyl group" is
a group of atoms arranged in a particular configuration that
includes carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen and is represented by -COOH.
Tryptophan is an essential amino acid.
The molecular formula of tryptophan is C11H12N2O2
Amino acids generally are explained further in the column on the rightin further detail below. Briefly, there are two types of amino acid:
- Those that can be synthesized by the body itself (non-essential amino acids), and
- those that, although necessary for the healthy growth or maintenance of the body, cannot be produced by the body itself.
This second type of amino acids are called essential amino acids, and are also referred to as indispensible amino acids in some textbooks.
Tryptophan is one of those amino acids that are necessary and cannot be produced within the body. Therefore it is an essential amino acid, meaning that it is an essential part of a healthy diet.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are important biological units that are sometimes called the "building
blocks" of proteins because many amino
acids together form proteins. Proteins form a significant proportion of
the structure
of cells, cells being
the basic functional units of living organisms.
Chemistry of Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic compounds that include both an amino group, and a carboxyl group.
The term "organic
compound"
refers to substances whose molecular structure is based on the
presence and properties of the element carbon, whose chemical symbol is C.
An "amino group" is
a group of atoms arranged in a particular configuration that
includes the elements nitrogen and hydrogen and is represented by
-NH2.
A "carboxyl group" is
a group of atoms arranged in a particular configuration that
includes carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen and is represented by -COOH.
For further information about amino acids in general, see Amino Acids.
