Science glossary film: Amino acid

The building blocks of proteins and polypeptides. Only 20 amino acids are used in the human body to construct all of its different proteins. Amino acids contain an amine group, a carboxylic acid group, and a sidechain group, bound to a central carbon atom. Amino acids which an organism cannot synthesise itself, and so must form part of its diet, are called essential amino acids.

Only 20 amino acids are used in the human body to construct all of its different proteins. Amino acids contain an amine group, a carboxylic acid group, and a sidechain group, bound to a central carbon atom. Amino acids which an organism cannot synthesise itself, and so must form part of its diet, are called essential amino acids.