α-Amino acids

Definition

α-Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, consisting of a central carbon atom (the α-carbon) to which an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain (R group) are attached. They play a crucial role in biochemistry as they polymerize to form peptides and proteins.

Related terms

Peptide bond: A covalent chemical bond linking two consecutive amino acid monomers along a peptide or protein chain.

Side chain (R group): The unique chemical structure attached to the α-carbon of an amino acid that determines its characteristics and function.

Protein structure: The three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in an amino acid-chain molecule, including primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures