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  1. Amino acid | Definition, Structure, & Facts | Britannica

    Jan 23, 2026 · Amino acid, any of a group of organic molecules that consist of a basic amino group, an acidic carboxyl group, and a unique organic side chain. The term amino acid is short for α-amino …

  2. Amino acid - Building Blocks, Structure, Functions | Britannica

    Jan 23, 2026 · After they are incorporated into a peptide, the individual amino acids are referred to as amino acid residues. Small polymers of amino acids (fewer than 50) are called oligopeptides, while …

  3. Structure and properties of amino acids | Britannica

    amino acid, Any of a class of organic compounds in which a carbon atom has bonds to an amino group (―NH2), a carboxyl group (―COOH), a hydrogen atom (―H), and an organic side group (called ―R).

  4. Protein - Amino Acids, Structure, Function | Britannica

    Feb 3, 2026 · Proteins are one of three primary macronutrients that provide energy to the human body, along with fats and carbohydrates. They consist of amino acids that are essential to proper body …

  5. Amino acid - Reactions, Structure, Synthesis | Britannica

    Jan 23, 2026 · Amino acid - Reactions, Structure, Synthesis: Amino acids via their various chemical functionalities (carboxyls, amino, and R groups) can undergo numerous chemical reactions.

  6. Genetic code | Definition, Characteristics, Table, & Facts | Britannica

    Feb 4, 2026 · Three adjacent nucleotides constitute a unit known as the codon, which codes for an amino acid. For example, the sequence AUG is a codon that specifies the amino acid methionine. …

  7. Protein - Amino Acids, Physicochem. | Britannica

    Nov 29, 2025 · Since each protein molecule consists of a long chain of amino acid residues, linked to each other by peptide bonds, the hydrolytic cleavage of all peptide bonds is a prerequisite for the …

  8. What are the 20 amino acid building blocks of proteins?

    In the human body, there are 20 amino acids that function as building blocks of proteins. Nine of these amino acids are considered essential—they must be consumed in the diet—while five are considered …

  9. Phenylalanine | Amino Acid, Protein, Metabolism | Britannica

    Jan 17, 2026 · An amino acid is an organic molecule that is made up of a basic amino group (−NH 2), an acidic carboxyl group (−COOH), and an organic R group (or side chain) that is unique to each amino …

  10. What is an amino acid? | Britannica

    An amino acid is an organic molecule that is made up of a basic amino group (−NH 2), an acidic carboxyl group (−COOH), and an organic R group (or side chain) that is unique to each amino acid.