Amínósýruna

Amínósýruna is Icelandic for amino acid. Amino acids are organic compounds that form the building blocks of proteins. They consist of a central carbon atom, also known as the alpha-carbon, bonded to an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom (H), and a side chain (R-group). The R-group is what differentiates one amino acid from another, giving each its unique chemical properties.

There are twenty common amino acids found in proteins, often referred to as the standard or proteinogenic amino acids. These twenty can be categorized based on the properties of their R-groups, such as whether they are hydrophobic (water-repelling), hydrophilic (water-attracting), acidic, or basic. Some amino acids are considered essential, meaning the human body cannot synthesize them and they must be obtained through diet. Others are non-essential, which the body can produce on its own.

Amino acids link together through peptide bonds to form long chains called polypeptides, which then fold into complex three-dimensional structures to become functional proteins. Proteins play vital roles in virtually all biological processes, including catalyzing metabolic reactions, replicating DNA, transporting molecules, and providing structural support. The sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain determines its specific structure and function.