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A Guide to Amino Acids

It can be said that amino acids are a special group of molecules that have a basic form. No matter whether the amino acid is found in the cell of a bacteria, human being, or a plant, it will have the same structure and may even carry out the same functions within the cell. Even though there are well over 500 amino acids, most organisms make use of 22 standard amino acids, and a handful of others that may be useful based on certain conditions.

For example, specialized amino acids may be produced to function based on PH levels within a cell, variable temperatures, or the presence of oxygen. Unfortunately, more research needs to be done in order to determine how many non-standard amino acids are used, as well as their role in any given organism under any given environmental condition.

Standard Amino Acid Shape

Amino acids are usually composed of a handful of atoms, (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Oxygen) that are arranged into specific structures. This includes a side chain, a COOH (carboxylic acid) unit, and an NH2 (amine) unit. Visually, it is easiest to imagine the COOH unit at one end of the amino acid, a chain or ring of carbons down the center, and NH2 at the other end.

The side chain is usually attached to the backbone. Depending on the amino acid in question, this side chain may form a chain of atoms, or form a carbon ring with other atoms attached to it.

Basic Ways Organisms Use Peptides

Regardless of whether you are studying a cell with a single strand of RNA for its genetic material or hundreds of strands of DNA, you can rest assured that coding information exists for hundreds, if not millions of peptides. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that peptides represent some of the most important molecules found within any given cell.

In single cell organisms they can be used to signal the start and stop of cellular division, open RNA or DNA for replication or transcription, and determine which molecules are made at any given moment. Peptides may also be used to facilitate the conversion of glucose and other forms of fuel into energy.

When it comes to multi-cellular organisms, peptides become even more important. For example, the vast majority of plants and animals would not be able to survive without insulin. This particular peptide bonds to glucose in the blood or sap of an animal or plant, and then encourages transport across cellular membranes.

Without this particular peptide, it would be impossible for cells to take in glucose. In a similar way, peptides can act as hormones, neurotransmitters, and signaling molecules. You may even find that peptides play roles in immune responses, and just about any other process that requires a signaling cascade within cells or specific tissues.

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Introduction:

As you may be aware, even the simplest organisms are actually very complicated from a functional perspective. No matter whether you are talking about something as small as a virus or as large as an elephant, each being must have some way to take in energy, use it for various functions, and then reproduce.

The vast majority of organisms on Earth make use of molecules known as peptides, to carry out many processes required for life. Since these tiny, but complex molecules influence just about every process in any given organisms, it should come as no surprise that researchers seek to study them and even produce them under laboratory conditions.

What are Peptides and Where do They Fit In?

Basically, peptides are smaller versions of proteins. They are made up of amino acids, and rely on either RNA or DNA for a template. Unlike proteins, peptides are so small they usually do not have complex folding structures. Interestingly enough, some peptides may even be involved in cellular reproduction as well as carry out many other functions within the cell. Since they are very small and far less complex than proteins, they are easier for researchers to study in laboratory conditions.

What are Amino Acids and Where do They Come From?

Before launching into a definition of amino acids, it will be of immense benefit to understand their position and relationship to molecules and organisms. Chances are you realize that modern science tends to think about both organic and inorganic structures in terms of smallest units.

For example, the smallest unit of functional matter is defined as an atom, while the smallest unit of life is defined as a cell. Even though there are subatomic particles, we still tend to use atoms as the basis for studying molecular interactions. In a similar way, cells are made up of organelles that carry out specific functions on various molecules. Depending on the organelle and the process involved, even a single atom may control the entry and exit of other molecules as well as what kinds of molecules will be created or taken apart within the organelle.

When it comes to classifying molecules, they are usually broken down into two main groups, and then smaller groups, based on structure and function. Inorganic molecules are defined as ones that are formed without the presence of living organisms. For example, water is made up of one oxygen molecule combined with two hydrogen molecules. Water forms when an acid and base react to each other and form some type of mineral salt plus H2O. Typically, these reactions only require the presence of the necessary molecules, appropriate temperature, and proper atmospheric pressure.

Organic molecules require a living organism to produce them. In the instance of amino acids, the vast majority of them are produced within cells that take in raw materials and then assemble proteins, nucleic acids, or peptides based on a template. Typically, amino acids are either taken in from another organism or manufactured within cells. They can be combined with other amino acids and other molecules.

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