What are amino acids?

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins — the molecules that make up muscles, enzymes, hormones, and many other parts of living cells.

Here’s a explanation:

1. Basic structure:
   Each amino acid has:
   • an amino group (–NH₂)
   • a carboxyl group (–COOH)
   • a hydrogen atom (–H)
   • a side chain (R group) attached to a central carbon atom.
2. Function:
   • Amino acids join together by peptide bonds to form long chains called proteins.
   • The sequence and type of amino acids decide a protein’s shape and function.
3. Types:
   • There are 20 common amino acids in proteins.
   • Some are essential (must come from food), and others are non-essential (made by the body).

In short:
Amino acids are small organic molecules that combine to form proteins, which are vital for growth, repair, and body functions.