Amino acids: biochemistry, classification

For the full-fledged activity of the human body, the fulfillment of all functions, it is necessary to eat foods enriched with proteins, fats, carbohydrates. Proteins and proteins are components of cells, so a person needs protein foods. What are amino acids? The biochemistry of these compounds is an important issue that deserves detailed consideration and study.

Features of amino acids

These compounds are necessary for the synthesis of protein molecules. In nature, there are more than one hundred and fifty different amino acids, but not all of them are vital to the human body. What exactly do we need amino acids? The biochemistry of 20 such compounds has been thoroughly studied by domestic and foreign scientists. It turned out that twelve of them are able to be synthesized inside the human body, and only eight amino acids a person should receive with food.

Classification

Consider some amino acids. Biochemistry, the classification of these organic compounds involves the identification of three main groups:

• Irreplaceable, obtained with food. Such substances can not be synthesized in the human body;
• Interchangeable, formed in the body, falling into it together with protein food;
• Conditionally replaceable, produced from irreplaceable connections.

Basic properties

What are the physical and chemical properties of amino acids? The biochemistry of these compounds gives an idea of their basic characteristics. Amino acids have high melting points, are highly soluble in water, have a crystalline form.

What else are the amino acids? Biochemistry, their formulas indicate the presence of carbon molecules with optical activity.

Chemical Characteristics

Their biochemistry is of interest. Amino acids are peptides of the primary structure. It is precisely when several amino acid residues are combined into one linear structure that a protein molecule is synthesized. When a person uses glycine in the form of a powder or tablets, a rapid and easy entry of organic matter into the blood takes place. Their biochemistry is of interest. Amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, fats are substances that are necessary for the functioning of a living organism. With their lack, there are various diseases.

Amino acids are amphoteric compounds exhibiting dual chemical properties.

Biological significance

This class of nitrogen-containing compounds is responsible for the synthesis of protein molecules in the human body. In case of its deficiency, serious problems arise with the nervous system. What else are important amino acids for the body? The biochemistry of these amphoteric compounds explains their importance for biosynthesis in the liver of glycogen. Its insufficient number leads to serious illnesses. Among the main reasons for the lack of 20 essential amino acids, doctors call malnutrition, abuse of strong alcoholic beverages, systematic stressful situations. In order to avoid the depletion of the body (avoid protein starvation), it is necessary to include dairy, meat, soy products.

Duality of properties

What are the characteristics of amino acids? The biochemistry of these compounds is explained by the presence in the molecules of two functional groups. These chemical compounds have a carboxylic (acidic) group COOH, and also are amines. Such structural features explain their chemical potential.

Similarity with organic and mineral acids is manifested in reactions with active metals, basic oxides, alkalis, salts of weak acids. In addition, amino acids are able to react chemically with alcohols to form esters. The presence of the amino group explains their interaction with acids by the donor-acceptor mechanism of the bond.

Classification and nomenclature

Depending on the location of the carboxyl group, it is possible to divide these organic compounds into alpha, beta, and amino acids. The numbering of the carbon atom then begins with the carbon following the acid group.

In organic chemistry, amino acids are distinguished according to the number of functional groups: basic, neutral, acidic.

Depending on the nature of the hydrocarbon radical, it is common to subdivide all amino acids into fatty (aliphatic), heterocyclic, aromatic, and sulfur-containing compounds. As an example of an aromatic amino acid, 2 aminobenzoic acid can be represented.

According to the systematic nomenclature for the name of this class of organic compounds, the position of the amino group is indicated by the numeral, then the name of the carbon chain, which includes the carboxyl group, is added. The Greek alphabet is used if the amino acid is named after a trivial nomenclature.

In the presence of two functional (amino groups) in the molecule, the name is used to specify the prefixes: diamino, triamino. For polybasic amino acids, triol or diol is added to the name.

Features of isomerism and the production of amino acids

Taking into account the specific chemical structure of representatives of this class of organic substances, several types of isomerism are distinguished . Similarly to carboxylic acids, in these amphoteric compounds, there are isomers of the carbon skeleton.

It is also possible to compose isomers with different positions of the functional amino group. Of interest is the optical isomerism of this class, which makes it possible to explain their biological significance for living organisms.

As an initial raw material for the synthesis of caproin is aminocaproic acid. By hydrolysis, 25 important amino acids can be obtained. There are certain problems associated with the separation of the resulting mixture of amphoteric compounds. In addition to hydrolysis of protein molecules, it is possible to synthesize amino acids by the interaction of halogenated acids according to the Gel-Folgard-Zelinsky reaction.

Formation of amino acids during the processes of hydrolysis of proteins that make up food. It is these substances that are the bricks, thanks to which the plant and animal proteins are arranged, the organism is saturated with the most important components for its full-scale vital activity.

For example, in the case of severe depletion of the body caused by a severe operation, the patient is assigned a special course of amino acids. With the help of glutamic acid , the treatment of nervous diseases is carried out, with gastric ulcers it is necessary to use histidine. In agriculture, amino acids are used as a feeding for animals, stimulating their growth and development.

Conclusion

Amino acids are amphoteric organic compounds that play an important role in the vital activity of humans and animals. With insufficient quantity of one of the most important amino acids, serious health problems appear. Full protein nutrition is especially important in adolescence, as well as those people who experience constant physical activity, are actively involved in sports.