Amino Acids

Amino acids are compounds that contain both an amino group and a carboxylic acid group in the same molecule. The amino acids that make up protein molecules are specifically α-amino acids, meaning the amino group sits on the carbon directly adjacent to the carboxyl carbon (the α-carbon); this α-carbon also bears a hydrogen atom and a side-chain group conventionally written as R, giving the general formula R-CH(NH₂)-COOH. …