Aminoá

Aminoá is a Spanish word that translates to "amino acid" in English. Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They are essential for life and play a crucial role in numerous biological processes within living organisms. Each amino acid has a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a side chain. This side chain, which varies among amino acids, determines their unique properties and functions.

There are twenty common amino acids that make up the proteins found in all living things. These are categorized into essential and non-essential amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet. Non-essential amino acids, on the other hand, can be produced by the body. Amino acids link together in long chains to form polypeptides, which then fold into complex three-dimensional structures to become functional proteins. These proteins are involved in everything from enzyme catalysis and structural support to immune defense and cellular communication.