Amino Acids: The Building Blocks of Proteins

Amino Acids are the Building Blocks of Proteins

Proteins are made up of amino acids, which is the basic building block. Amino acids are organic molecules made up of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. The nature of side chains determines how they are classified. The body can produce 20 amino acids from human proteins. Nine of these are essential, and cannot be made by the body. Except for glycine, all other amino acids are chiral molecules. They have an impossibly mirror image. (Carr 2021). They make up most of the proteins in the body, and they play an important role in many bodily functions. These amino acids are essential for building and repairing muscle tissue and making hormones, enzymes and neurotransmitters. They also help regulate bodily processes like metabolism and digestion. Some amino acids can also be used to provide energy directly, while others are converted into glucose and fatty acids. Many foods contain amino acids. The most comprehensive sources are animal-based sources like eggs, meat and dairy.