UNIT – 14

BIOMOLECULES

Amino Acids
 What is an Amino Acid?

• Amino Acids are the organic compounds which

combine to form proteins, hence they are referred
to as the building components of proteins.
• These biomolecules are involved in several
biological and chemical functions in a human body
and are the necessary ingredients for the growth
and development of human beings.
• There are about 300 amino acids which occur in
nature.
• Amino acids contain the basic amino groups (-
NH2) and carboxyl groups (-COOH).
 Amino Acids
• They are represented by general formula:
 D and L – form of amino acids
• Except glycine every amino acid has one chiral centre
(asymmetric carbon) which makes it optically active.
These aminoacids exist in D- and L-form refers to the
isomer with – NH2 at the right and L – with –NH2 at
left.
 Classification of Amino acids
• On the basis of relative position of amino
group with respect to carboxyl group amino
acids are classified into alpha, beta, gamma
etc…..
 Classification of Amino acids
• Based on the source:
 Classification of Amino acids
• Based on the number of -NH2 and –COOH groups:
 Physical properties of Amino acids
• In general, amino acids in their pure states are colourless,
crystalline solids. They are water-soluble with high melting
points. 
• In aqueous solution, the acidic carboxyl group can lose a
proton and basic amino group can gain a proton in a kind
of internal acid – base reaction.
• The product of this internal reaction is called a Dipolar or a
Zwitter ion.
• Amino acid in the
dipolar ion form are
amphoteric in
nature.
Peptide bond formation