Amino Acids are naturally-occurring organic compounds that make up proteins, which are the building blocks of life. They consist of a carboxyl group (COOH), an amino group (NH2) and a side chain known as an R group, which varies between different types of amino acids. There are 20 common amino acids found in humans, with others existing in plants, animals and microorganisms.
Amino acids can be divided into two categories: essential and nonessential. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by the body from other molecules; they must therefore be obtained from dietary sources such as meats, dairy products or plant-based foods like beans or lentils. Nonessential amino acids can usually be made by the body using nitrogen and carbon skeletons derived from other molecules like glucose.
The structure of an individual acid is determined by its specific R groups attached to it; for example tyrosine has a phenol ring while tryptophan has indole rings attached to its backbone structure. This structural diversity allows them to interact with one another in various ways leading to complex three dimensional structures that form biological macromolecules such as proteins needed for cell function and viability. Amino acids also play important roles in metabolism through their involvement in metabolic pathways like glycolysis or gluconeogenesis where they help convert energy forms such as glucose into usable forms such ATP used for cellular processes throughout the body’s systems.
Furthermore some have been identified as neurotransmitters responsible for transmitting signals between neurons making them critical components of neurological functions including learning memory formation motor control etcetera . Additionally numerous studies suggest certain essential oils may have therapeutic effects on conditions ranging from depression anxiety addiction even cancer making research on this topic increasingly promising .
Finally scientists continue investigating how these small but powerful molecules affect our physical mental emotional states furthering our understanding about how we can use them improve overall health wellbeing .