Category of Chemicals

Alpha-amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They consist of an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), and a central alpha carbon (C), which also carries a variable side chain. These diverse side chains give each amino acid its unique properties. In living organisms, alpha-amino acids link together through peptide bonds to form proteins, which perform a multitude of vital functions. There are 20 standard amino acids used in protein synthesis, each with specific roles in the body, from structural support to enzyme catalysis.