For the full activity of the human body, the performance of all functions, it is necessary to use foods enriched with proteins, fats, carbohydrates. Proteins and proteins are components of cells, so a person needs protein food. What are amino acids? The biochemistry of these compounds is an important issue that deserves detailed consideration and study.
Amino Acid Features
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 kind of amino acids do we need? The biochemistry of 20 such compounds has been studied in detail by domestic and foreign scientists. It turned out that twelve of them are capable of being 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 allocation of three main groups:
- irreplaceable received with food. Such substances cannot be synthesized in the human body;
- interchangeable, formed in the body, falling into it along with protein food;
- conditionally interchangeable, produced from irreplaceable compounds.
Basic properties
What physical and chemical properties do amino acids have? The biochemistry of these compounds gives an idea of their main characteristics. Amino acids have high melting points, are highly soluble in water, have a crystalline form.
What else are amino acids characterized by? Biochemistry, their formulas indicate the presence in the molecules of carbon with optical activity.
Chemical characteristics
Of interest is their biochemistry. Amino acids are peptides of the primary structure. It is by combining several amino acid residues into one linear structure that a protein molecule is synthesized. When a person consumes glycine in the form of a powder or tablets, organic matter quickly and easily enters the bloodstream. Of interest is their biochemistry. Amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, fats - substances that are necessary for the functioning of a living organism. With their lack, various diseases arise.
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 deficiency, serious problems arise with the nervous system. What else are amino acids important for the body? The biochemistry of these amphoteric compounds explains their significance for glycogen liver biosynthesis. Its insufficient amount leads to serious diseases. Among the main reasons for the lack of 20 essential amino acids, doctors call eating disorders, abuse of hard liquors, systematic stressful situations. In order to prevent depletion of the body (to avoid protein starvation), it is necessary to include dairy, meat, soy products in food.
Duality of properties
What features do amino acids have? The biochemistry of these compounds is explained by the presence of two functional groups in the molecules. These chemical compounds have a carboxyl (acid) COOH group and are also amines. Such structural features explain their chemical capabilities.
The 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 enter into chemical interaction with alcohols, forming esters. The presence of an amino group explains their interaction with acids via a donor-acceptor bond mechanism.
Classification and Nomenclature
Depending on the location of the carboxyl group, it is possible to divide these organic compounds into alpha, beta, amino acids. The numbering of the carbon atom in this case begins with the carbon following the acid group.
In organic chemistry, amino acids are distinguished by the number of functional groups: basic, neutral, acidic.
Depending on the nature of the hydrocarbon radical, it is customary to subdivide all amino acids into fatty (aliphatic), heterocyclic, aromatic, and also sulfur-containing compounds. An example of an aromatic amino acid is 2 aminobenzoic acid.
According to the systematic nomenclature, when the name of this class of organic compounds is named, the position of the amino group is indicated by a number, 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 according to the trivial nomenclature.
If there are two functional (amino groups) in the molecule, the prefix is used in the name: diamino, triamino. For polybasic amino acids, triol or diol acid is added in the name.
Features of isomerism and amino acid production
Given the specificity of the chemical structure of representatives of this class of organic substances, several types of isomerism are distinguished . Like carboxylic acids, in these amphoteric compounds, carbon skeleton isomers exist.
You can also make isomers with different locations of the functional amino group. Of interest is the optical isomerism of this class, which allows us to explain their biological significance for living organisms.
Aminocaproic acid acts as a starting material for the synthesis of capron. 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 the hydrolysis of protein molecules, amino acids can be synthesized by the interaction of halogen-substituted acids by the Gel-Folgard-Zelinsky reaction.
Amino acids are formed during the hydrolysis of proteins that make up food. It is these substances that are those bricks, due to which the building of plant and animal proteins occurs, and the body is saturated with the most important components for its full life activity.
For example, in case of severe depletion of the body caused by a heavy operation, a special course of amino acids is prescribed to the patient. With the help of glutamic acid , nervous diseases are treated, with stomach ulcers, the use of histidine is necessary. In agriculture, amino acids are used as top dressing for animals that stimulate their growth and development.
Conclusion
Amino acids are amphoteric organic compounds that play an important role in the life of humans and animals. With an insufficient amount of one of the most important amino acids, serious health problems appear. Full-fledged protein nutrition is especially important in adolescence, as well as those people who experience constant physical activity, are actively involved in sports.