This type of reaction is called a condensation reaction. This bond forms when the -OH from the carboxyl end of one molecule and the hydrogen from the amino end of another molecule split off and form a small molecule byproduct, H 2O or water. In 1902 the German organic chemist, Emil Fischer, first proposed that the amino acids in polypeptides are linked together between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of the other.
So we can say that this versatility of proteins comes from their amino acid monomers themselves.Figure 1. On the other hand, their flexible chains allow them to produce muscles that can relax and contract. This ability to change themselves in various pH or media allow them to function as enzymes, vitamins or neurotransmitters. So proteins are usually not present in specific shapes and structures. Since the amino acids differ from each other in nature based on their stricture and side-chain composition, they inherently modify the structure, shape and nature of the proteins they form as well. Unlike carbohydrates, proteins cannot be made up of the same type of monomer. Proteins are one of the major biomolecules that make up the human body and amino acids are the smaller blocks that join up to form these proteins. These amino acids often produce certain vitamins, so their deficiency can lead to the deficiency of the vitamin itself. So we must obtain them from dietary sources- like plants, meat and milk or supplements to make up for this inability. The rest of the nine amino acids cannot be synthesized by humans (but can be synthesized by plants and microorganisms). Among the 20 eleven of the amino acids are non-essential. These amino acids are called non-essential amino acids. Some amino acids are synthesized by the human body itself, so we do not need to go about obtaining them from dietary sources or supplements. But they are again classified into 2 types. Essential and Non-essential amino acids:Īs mentioned above a total of 20 amino acids are required for the human system to function perfectly. Antibodies, enzymes and hormones are nothing but proteins that function differently. Proteins are very versatile and have several uses and functions. This also changes the nature of the protein they compose, based on which type of amino acids nature plays dominant in greater number. The reason is that based on the nature of their side chains amino acids can be hydrophilic(water-loving), hydrophobic(water-hating), cationic, anionic or neutral. Human RBC, precisely haemoglobin is one of the highest sources of Phe. One of three amino acids with an aromatic ring in its side chain is phenylalanine.
The human body requires a total off twenty amino acids to function properly. They are called amino acids precisely due to the presence of amino group(−NH 3 +) and carboxylate group (−CO 2 –). Proteins are polymeric chains made of monomeric units called amino acids.Īmino acids are organically available compounds made of Carbon, Oxygen, Hydrogen and Nitrogen mainly and have some other elements like Sulphur in their side chains.