aminogruppi

Aminogruppi, also known as amino acids, are organic compounds that play a crucial role in the chemistry of life. They are composed of an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a variable side chain (R) that distinguishes each amino acid from the others. There are 20 standard amino acids that are used by living organisms to synthesize proteins, each with unique physical and chemical properties.

Amino acids can be classified into two main categories: essential and non-essential. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained through diet. Non-essential amino acids can be produced by the body or obtained from the diet. Amino acids are linked together by peptide bonds to form proteins, which are essential for various biological functions, including structure, function, regulation, and expression of genes.

In addition to their role in protein synthesis, amino acids also serve as precursors for the synthesis of other biologically important molecules, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, and pigments. They are also involved in various metabolic processes, including energy production and the synthesis of nucleotides.

Amino acids can exist in two forms: the L-isomers, which are used by living organisms, and the D-isomers, which are rare in biological systems. The L-isomers are so named because they rotate plane-polarized light to the left. The term "amino acid" was coined by Emil Fischer in 1894, who also determined the structure of the first amino acid, glycine.