Question

Draw the structure of amino acid, alanine

Answer 1

Hint: Alanine is defined as a-amino acid which is used in biosynthesis of proteins through a process called translation, in which all the amino acids together with alanine polymerise form a polypeptide chain by polypeptide bond between them.

Complete answer:
Amino acids are composed of protein. moreover about 300 amino acids occur in nature, only 20 of them enter into the composition of proteins. Each amino acid constitutes a centrally located carbon atom called a-carbon to which four groups are found to attached: a basic amino group that is (\[ - \mathop {NH}\nolimits_3 \] an acidic carboxyl group ($ - \mathop {COOH}\nolimits_{} $ a hydrogen atom and a group of varying chemical structures called a side chain (R-group).

1.With four different groups that remain attached to it, the a- carbon is said to be asymmetric. There are many ways to classify the amino acids
a.Common amino acids that are present in proteins
b.some Uncommon amino acids
c.Amino acids not present in proteins.

2. Common amino acids present in proteins are classified into:
a.Nonpolar (hydrophobic) amino acids
b.Polar amino acids (neutral amino acids)
c.Acidic amino acids and
d.Basic amino acids

3.Alanine is termed one of the non-polar aliphatic amino acids. In alanine amino acid the side-chain is a methyl group ($ - \mathop {CH}\nolimits_3 $) which is connected to a-carbon. It is the simplest a- amino acid after glycine. The methyl group that remains attached at the side-chain of alanine is non-reactive and is therefore hardly ever directly helps in protein function.

Alanine is a nonessential amino acid, that means it can be produced by the human body, and does not need to be taken through the diet. Alanine can be present in a wide variety of foods, but is particularly found in meats.

Note: Some functions of Amino acids that are alanine are: They work to protect the body from different allergic reactions. These are necessary for building haemoglobin and helping to prevent anaemia from occurring.