Chemical Formula of Amino Acid
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They consist of an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and a side chain, also known as R group. The chemical formula of amino acids varies depending on the specific side chain, but the general formula can be represented as follows:
Amino Group
The amino group (-NH2) consists of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms. It is located on one end of the amino acid molecule and gives the amino acid its basic properties. The amino group is also responsible for forming peptide bonds between amino acids during protein synthesis.
Carboxyl Group
The carboxyl group (-COOH) consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH). It is located on the opposite end of the amino acid molecule from the amino group and gives the amino acid its acidic properties. The carboxyl group can donate a proton to form a carboxylate ion (-COO-) in solution.
Side Chain
The side chain, also known as R group, is a variable group that differs between amino acids. It is attached to the central carbon atom of the amino acid molecule and determines the unique properties of each amino acid. Some side chains are hydrophilic (water-loving) and interact with the aqueous environment, while others are hydrophobic (water-fearing) and tend to be buried within the protein structure.
Examples
The 20 common amino acids found in proteins can be grouped based on the properties of their side chains:
- Aliphatic: glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala), valine (Val), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile)
- Aromatic: phenylalanine (Phe), tyrosine (Tyr), tryptophan (Trp)
- Sulfur-containing: cysteine (Cys), methionine (Met)
- Acidic: aspartic acid (Asp), glutamic acid (Glu)
- Basic: lysine (Lys), arginine (Arg), histidine (His)
- Hydroxyl-containing: serine (Ser), threonine (Thr)
- Amide-containing: asparagine (Asn), glutamine (Gln)