Introduction
Main Chemicals, Compounds, Components
As stated earlier, the side chain is one of the major parts of an amino acid. Without side chains, all amino acids would be the same. Therefore proteins could not be made, which means that we couldn’t be made. Side chains are a string of varying atoms that branch off of the bottom of the central carbon. In some cases, the side chain may loop around and connect to the amino group or the carboxyl group. The side chain determines the pH of the amino acid, meaning it can make the amino acid into either a weak base or a weak acid. Also, the amino acid becomes what is called a hydrophile if the side chain is polar or else a hydrophobe if the side chain is nonpolar.
Another important thing to understand when learning about amino acids is how they bond. The bonds between amino acids are covalent, meaning they are bonded because they share an electron pair. When two amino acids connect, the amino group of one connects to the carboxyl group of the other, releasing a water molecule. A water molecule is released because the carboxyl group releases one hydrogen atom and one oxygen atom, and the amino group of the other amino acid releases the second hydrogen in order to make H2O, or water. When bonded together, the sequence and number of the amino acids determine the protein’s size, shape, and function.
Chemistry's Role
Chemistry has a lot to do with amino acids. The process of amino acids turning into proteins involves chemistry. Another way that amino acids have to do with chemistry is the elements they contain. All amino acids contain at least hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, and oxygen.
Background Research
The main job of amino acids, called is called translation. During translation, ribosomes make hundreds of copies of DNA called messenger RNA, or mRNA. This newly created mRNA then tells amino acids what order to bond together to form certain proteins. These proteins then serve many different life-sustaining purposes throughout the body. All amino acids that the human body needs are either produced by the body, or must be consumed by the food we eat.
Resources
http://www.biology.arizona.edu/biochemistry/problem_sets/aa/aa.html
Overview of amino acids in relation to proteins.
http://www.aminoacid-studies.com/amino-acids/what-types-of-amino-acids-are-there.html
Different types of amino acids
https://umm.edu/health/medical/ency/articles/amino-acids
More on types and uses of amino acids
http://www.chem4kids.com/files/bio_aminoacid.html
chemical structure and intro to side groups
http://www.realtime.net/anr/aminoacd.html
in depth look at essential and nonessential amino acids
http://www.hornetjuice.com/amino-acids-types/
Specific uses of 20 proteinogenic amino acids
Chemical structure of amino acids, side chains, peptide bonds
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid
Side chains
http://www.bozemanscience.com/transcription-translation/
amino acids and translation
About the Author
Deontae Gillespie is a junior at Billings Senior High School. He really enjoys chemistry and how it applies to everyday life. He would like to pursue a career in the field of science, probably relating to the body, although he does not know for sure what his future plans are. He is a member of the Platinum Program, STEM club, has maintained a 4.0 thus far in high school, and is a member of the varsity wrestling team.