Question

What is an amino acid ? Write down types of amino acid along with their structure.

Answer 1

amino acids

The structure and function of amino acids.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

See all videos for this article

Amino acid, any of a group of organic molecules that consist of a basic amino group (―NH2), an acidic carboxyl group (―COOH), and an organic R group (or side chain) that is unique to each amino acid. The term amino acid is short for α-amino [alpha-amino] carboxylic acid. Each molecule contains a central carbon (C) atom, called the α-carbon, to which both an amino and a carboxyl group are attached. The remaining two bonds of the α-carbon atom are generally satisfied by a hydrogen (H) atom and the R group. The formula of a general amonia acid

Answer 2

Answer:

(i) Acidic amino acids: The

amino acids have an extra

carboxylic group

e.g., Glutamic acid

(glutamate), aspartic

acid (aspartate).

(ii) Basic amino acids: They have

an additional amino group.

e.g., Lysine, arginine etc.

(iii) Natural amino acids: Amino

acids have one amino group and one

carboxylic group. e.g.,

Valine, alanine, glycine, leucine,

isoleucine.

(iv) Sulphur containing amino

acid: Have sulphur.

e.g., Cysteine, cystine and

methionine.

(v) Alcoholic amino acid: Have -

OH group. (e.g., Serine, threonine).

(vi) Heterocyclic amino acid: N is

present in ring.

e.g., Proline, histidine,

hydroxyproline.

(vii) Aromatic amino acids

possess cyclic structure with a straight

side chain bearing carboxylic and

amino group.