Amino Acids List With Structure

Organic substances known as amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are made up of a side chain (also known as the R-group), an amino group (-NH2), and a carboxyl group (-COOH). Each amino acid has unique capabilities due to changes in the R-group.

The building blocks of proteins are amino acids, and each protein’s structure and function are dictated by its amino acid sequence.
Certain amino acids facilitate a variety of biochemical processes by acting as catalysts in enzyme reactions.
Tyrosine and tryptophan are examples of amino acids that influence mood and cognition because they are precursors of neurotransmitters.

Despite their apparent simplicity, amino acids have complex structures that determine how they operate. Investigating these structures advances our knowledge of biochemistry and creates new opportunities for research in nutrition, medicine, and other fields.
Knowing the subtleties of amino acids is more than just learning their shapes; it opens doorways to understanding the complex molecular dance that keeps life alive. Discovering more about amino acids can be engrossing for anyone with an interest in biochemistry, medical professionals, or the inner workings of the human body.

Here is a list of the 20 standard amino acids found in proteins along with their one-letter code, three-letter code, and a simplified representation of their chemical structure:

Alanine (Ala)
Structure: CH₃-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Arginine (Arg)
Structure: HN=C(NH₂)-NH-(CH₂)₃-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Asparagine (Asn)
Structure: H₂N-CO-CH₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Aspartic acid (Asp)
Structure: HOOC-CH₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Cysteine (Cys)
Structure: HS-CH₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Glutamic acid (Glu)
Structure: HOOC-(CH₂)₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Glutamine (Gln)
Structure: H₂N-(CH₂)₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Glycine (Gly)
Structure: H-CH₂-NH₂-COOH

Histidine (His)
Structure: HN=C(NH₂)-CH=C-CH₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Isoleucine (Ile)
Structure: CH₃-CH₂-CH(CH₃)-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Leucine (Leu)
Structure: CH₃-CH₂-CH₂-CH(CH₃)-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Lysine (Lys)
Structure: H₂N-(CH₂)₄-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Methionine (Met)
Structure: CH₃-S-(CH₂)₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Phenylalanine (Phe)
Structure: C₆H₅-CH₂-CH(CH₃)-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Proline (Pro)
Structure: NH₂-CH₂-CH₂-COOH

Serine (Ser)
Structure: HO-CH₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Threonine (Thr)
Structure: CH₃-CH(OH)-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Tryptophan (Trp)
Structure: C₁₁H₈N₂-CH₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Tyrosine (Tyr)
Structure: HO-C₆H₄-CH₂-CH(NH₂)-COOH

Valine (Val)
Structure: (CH₃)₂-CH-CH(NH₂)-COOH