You must be wondering why amino acids are called ‘amino acids. It’s because of the nitrogen atom present in every single one of them. The word amine means a carbon-nitrogen double bond, so it’s fitting that these compounds are known as amines, too. That being said, we understand why you may have been misled to believe that they are called ‘amino acids because of the presence of ammonia. But here is the real explanation.
Why Are Amino Acids Called Amino Acids?
The name amino acid comes from the fact that the amino group (-NH2) and the carboxyl group (-COOH) are attached to the same chemical chain (–CNH–COOH). The name amino acid was coined by the Swedish chemist S. Anderson to distinguish these compounds from peptides, which also contain both an amino group and a carboxyl group but are connected by a backbone of alternating amine and carboxylic groups (–CONH–COOH).
How Are Amino Acids Produced?
Essential Amino Acids
These include alanine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glycine, histidine, and proline. These are called ‘essential’ because they cannot be synthesized by the human body and must therefore be obtained through food intake. In addition to that, we must also consider that these essential amino acids help to maintain a healthy immune system as well as maintain muscle mass itself. If we were to lose our levels of certain essential amino acids (i.e., histidine), it will lead to a decrease in muscle mass and a weakening of the immune system (for example during times of illness or infection).
Non-Essential Amino Acids
These include arginine, asparagine, glutamine, lysine, and serine. These are called ‘non-essential’ amino acids because they can be synthesized by the body. In addition to that, we must also consider that these non-essential amino acids help to maintain a healthy immune system as well as maintain muscle mass itself. If we were to lose our levels of certain non-essential amino acids (i.e., lysine), it will lead to a decrease in muscle mass and a weakening of the immune system (for example during times of illness or infection).
Synthetic Amino Acids
These include: ornithine, proline, and arginine; these are known as ‘synthetic’ amino acids because they are not found in nature but are produced by human beings from other compounds. In addition to that (for example during times of illness or infection).
Branched-Chain Amino Acids (BCAAs)
These are amino acids that serve as a building block for the proteins that form muscle tissue. They include leucine, isoleucine and valine. BCAAs are usually metabolized after consumption and there is no need to consume them in their raw form, unlike the other two types of amino acids. of illness or infection), it is important to note that the synthesis of these amino acids by the body will be insufficient for sustaining a healthy immune system and muscle mass.
Miscellaneous Amino Acids
These include: taurine, glutamine, and histidine; these are known as ‘miscellaneous’ amino acids because they are not essential or non-essential but can be synthesized by the body. In addition to that (for example during times of illness or infection), it is important to note that the synthesis of these amino acids by the body will be insufficient for sustaining a healthy immune system and muscle mass.
Why are amino acids called ‘Amino Acids’?
Non-Synthetic Amino Acids
These include: arginine, lysine, leucine, isoleucine, and valine; these are called ‘non-synthetic’ amino acids because they are not found in nature but are produced by human beings from other compounds. In addition to that (for example during times of illness), we must also consider that these non-synthetic amino acids help to maintain a healthy immune system as well as maintain muscle mass itself. If we were to lose our levels of certain non-synthetic amino acids (i.e., lysine), it will lead to a decrease in muscle mass and a weakening of the immune system (for example during times of illness or infection).
Other Amino Acids
There are illnesses or infections), we must also consider that these synthetic amino acids help to maintain a healthy immune system as well as maintain muscle mass itself. If we were to lose our levels of certain synthetic amino acids (i.e., ornithine), it will lead to a decrease in muscle mass and a weakening of the immune system (for example during times of illness or infection).
Natural Amino Acids
These include: arginine, lysine, and histidine; these are known as ‘natural’ amino acids because they are found in nature. In addition to that (for example during times of illness or infection), we must also consider that these natural amino acids help to maintain a healthy immune system as well as maintain muscle mass itself. If we were to lose our levels of certain natural amino acids (i.e., histidine), it will lead to a decrease in muscle mass and a weakening of the immune system (for example during times of illness or infection).
What is the chemistry behind an amino acid?
Non-Protein Amino Acids
These include taurine, citrulline, ornithine, and N-acetylornithine. These are known as ‘non-protein’ amino acids because they cannot be used by the body for making proteins but are instead stored in the body’s fat tissue. In addition to that (for example during times of illness or infection), the body does not produce these amino acids as it does for the ‘non-essential’ and ‘essential’ amino acids.
The remaining non-protein amino acids include
Argininosuccinic acid. These are known as ‘the rest. They are non-protein because they cannot be used by the body for making proteins but are instead stored in the body for illness or infection), the body can also produce these amino acids from other compounds, such as certain sugars and proteins, so there is no need to worry about whether you are producing them from your diet or not.
‘Non-essential’ and ‘Synthetic’ amino acids
These include: ornithine, proline, and arginine; these are known as ‘non-essential’ amino acids because they are not found in nature but are produced by human beings from other compounds. In addition to that (for example during times of illness or infection), the body can also produce these amino acids from other compounds, such as certain sugars and proteins, so there is no need to worry about whether you are producing them from your diet or not.
Synthetic Non-Essential Amino Acids
These include: glycine, alanine, and valine; these are known as ‘synthetic’ non-essential amino acids because they are of illness or infection), these compounds are used to treat certain diseases and disorders such as arthritis, muscular dystrophy, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Deuterium
This is the second most common form of hydrogen used in the body. Deuterium is a nucleus that can be found in all living organisms, it is present in every single cell and is necessary for life itself. Studies have shown that deuterium levels in food products (i.e., proteins) are not as high as they should be and this has been attributed to industrial pollution.
Final Words
Amino acids are formed when hydrogen is transferred between two different amino acids to form a new one. As a result, they are truly ‘amino acids’ since they contain nitrogen. We hope that you have gained a better understanding of why amino acids are called ‘amino acids. These are formed when hydrogen is transferred between two different amino acids to form a new one.
