Amino Acids for Kids

The building blocks of proteins are amino acids, which are the chemical compounds that come together to make proteins. These biomolecules are essential for human growth and development and are engaged in several biological and chemical processes in the body. There are around 300 amino acids found in nature.

Organic substances known as amino acids have basic amino groups R-CH(NH₂)-COOH and carboxyl groups R-C(O)OH. Amino acids are the components found in proteins. Proteins and peptides are both made up of lengthy chains of amino acids. A total of twenty amino acids are used to produce proteins. Now let us learn more about amino acids.

General Properties of Amino Acids 

The general properties of amino acids are shown below.

• Both their melting and boiling points are extremely high.

• Amino acids are white crystalline solids.

• Few amino acids have a pleasant, tasteless, or bitter flavour.

• The majority of amino acids are water soluble and insoluble in organic solvents.

Essential and Non-essential Amino Acids 

Non-essential amino acids are those our body can easily produce. These include proline, glycine, serine, tyrosine, cysteine, glutamine, asparagine, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and aspartic acid.

Other than these, nine other amino acids are necessary because our bodies cannot make them. Some important amino acids are isoleucine, histidine, lysine, leucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine, threonine, and valine.

Structure of Amino Acids

The general structure of amino acids is shown below.

Structure of Amino Acid

20 amino acids are found in nature, and they all share three structural characteristics: an amino group $\left(-\mathrm{NH}_3^{+}\right)$, a carboxylate group $\left(-\mathrm{COO}^{-}\right)$, and a hydrogen atom that is connected to the same carbon atom. Their $R$ group side-chain is what sets them apart from one another. There are 4 distinct groups connected to each amino acid's carbon atom.

These 4 categories are

• COOH 

• a hydrogen atom

• an amino group

• a sidechain (R)

Sources of Amino Acids

Amino acids are essential for carrying out a variety of biological and chemical processes in various sections of our bodies, including the synthesis and repair of tissues, the production and operation of enzymes, food digestion, the movement of molecules, etc. Only a small number of amino acids, known as essential amino acids, can be produced by the body; therefore, they must be consumed regularly in the form of protein-rich diets.

Plant-based foods include broccoli, beans, beets, pumpkin, cabbage, almonds, dry fruits, chia seeds, oats, peas, carrots, cucumber, green leafy vegetables, onions, soybeans, whole grains, peanuts, legumes, lentils, etc., are sources of amino acids. Apples, bananas, berries, figs, grapes, melons, oranges, papaya, pineapple, and pomegranates are among the fruits high in amino acids.

Sources of Amino Acids

Functions of Amino Acids

There are two functions of amino acids-essential and non-essential amino acids.

Functions of Essential Amino Acids

• Phenylalanine aids in enhancing memory and preserving a healthy neural system.

• Valine has a crucial role in encouraging muscular growth.

• The immune system is supported in its operations by threonine.

• Serotonin hormones and vitamin B3 are both made using tryptophan. We need this serotonin hormone to keep our appetites in check, control our sleep cycles, and elevate our moods.

Functions of Non-essential Amino Acids

The functions of non-essential amino acids include

• In addition to helping our bodies rid themselves of contaminants, alanine aids in the synthesis of amino acids like glucose.

• In addition to acting as an antioxidant and giving our bodies resilience, cysteine is crucial for producing collagen. It alters the skin's suppleness and texture.

• Glycine is essential for maintaining healthy cell growth and function and aids in the recovery of wounds. As a neurotransmitter, it functions.

Deficiency of Amino Acids

As was already noted, amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and proteins are essential to practically every aspect of life. So, to maintain a healthy and balanced body, we must consume all nine essential amino acids each day. The pathological conditions that might result from an amino acid shortage include:

• Anaemia

• Insomnia

• Diarrhoea

• Depression

• Hypoglycemia

• Decrease in appetite

• Fat accumulation in the liver

• Skin and hair-associated concerns

• Weakness, irritation, and headache

List of 10 Amino Acids

The names of the 10 amino acids are listed below.

• Alanine

• Leucine

• Aspartic acid

• Lysine

• Asparagine

• Methionine

• Arginine

• Proline

• Cytosine

• Phenylalanine

• Cysteine

How can Amino Acids be Used to Make Proteins?

Proteins are created when peptide bonds join the amino acids. The protein is then folded into precise three-dimensional structures as a result of the forces of other amino acids and the effects of their R-groups.

Summary

In this article, we have discussed the general properties of amino acids, essential and non-essential amino acids, the structure of amino acids, sources of amino acids, function and deficiency of amino acids. The compounds known as amino acids are made up of an amine group, a carboxylic acid group, a hydrogen group and a side chain unique to each amino acid. An amino acid's primary constituents are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. They have a crucial role in biochemistry, where the term is typically used to refer to alpha-amino acids. Proteins are made up of linear chains of amino acids, which are used as the building blocks of amino acids. A wide range of proteins can be created by joining amino acids in different ways. We hope this article is beneficial for you, in case of any other doubts feel free to ask in the comments.