NH2-CHR-COOH is the general structural molecular
formula of an amino acid. Amino acids are known to be the building blocks of
proteins. Twenty amino acids are required to make the body's proteins. Nine of
these amino acids are called essential amino acids and they are obtained from
the food we eat or consume. The other eleven amino acids are called
non-essential amino acids that are directly synthesized by the body and may also come from different food
sources.
Amino
acids are composed of two functional group; the carboxylic acid group and the
amine acid group. These functional groups of atoms in a molecule have their own
characteristics during chemical reactions and are independent from the
functions of the molecule itself.
