Aminosäure

Aminosäure is the German term for amino acid. Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They share a common structure consisting of a central carbon atom (the alpha-carbon) bonded to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a side chain (R-group). The specific identity of the R-group differentiates one amino acid from another. There are twenty standard amino acids commonly found in proteins, and each has unique chemical properties that influence the structure and function of the resulting protein.

These molecules play vital roles in numerous biological processes. They are essential for synthesizing new proteins, repairing tissues, and are involved in metabolic pathways. Some amino acids can also function as neurotransmitters or precursors to other important biomolecules. Organisms can synthesize many amino acids themselves, but some, known as essential amino acids, must be obtained from the diet. The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain determines its three-dimensional structure, which in turn dictates its biological activity. Therefore, understanding amino acids is fundamental to comprehending protein chemistry and biological function.