The document discusses amino acids, which are organic compounds that contain an amino group and a carboxyl group. There are over 300 amino acids found in nature, but only 20 are used as building blocks in protein synthesis. These 20 standard amino acids are incorporated into proteins through DNA-directed processes in cells. Amino acids can form salts with bases through their carboxyl groups and undergo various chemical reactions like decarboxylation, reactions with ammonia and ninhydrin, and transamination.

1. BIOCHEMISTRY
[B. Pharm – I Yr.]
Topic: Biomolecules (Amino Acids)
Umesh Kumar
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Pharm. Chemistry
Hygia Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research

2. Contents
• Proteins and amino acids
• Amino acids
• Chemical nature amino acids

3. • Amino acids are the group of organic compound containing functional
groups amino (-NH2) and carboxyl (-COOH).
• The a-carbon atom binds to a side chain represented by R which is different
for each of the 20 amino acids found in proteins.
• The amino acids mostly exist in the ionized form in the biological system
Amino acids

4. • As many as 300 amino acids occur in nature- Of these, only 20-known as
standard amino acids are repeatedly found in the structure of proteins,
isolated from different forms of life- animal, plant and microbial.
• This is because of the universal nature of the genetic code available for the
incorporation of only 20 amino acids when the proteins are synthesized in
the cells.
• The process in turn is controlled by DNA, the genetic material of the cell.
• After the synthesis of proteins, some of the incorporated amino acids
undergo modifications to form their derivatives
Amino acids

5. • Reaction due to carboxyl group:
• Amino acids form salt –COONa (sodium acetate) with bases and esters with
alcohols.
Chemical properties of amino acids

6. • Decarboxylation:
• Amino acids undergo decarboxylation to produce corresponding amines.
• The reaction is important to produce amines in the body like histamines, glutamate
etc.
Chemical properties of amino acids

7. • Reaction with ammonia:
• The carboxy group reacts with ammonia to produce amide derivatives.
Chemical properties of amino acids
C O O H
H C
H 2
C C O O H
N H 2
+ H N H 2
C O O H
H C
H 2
C C
N H 2
O
N H 2
+ H 2 O
A s p a r t i c a c i d A m m o n i a A m i d e

8. • Reaction with ninhydrin:
• Amino acids reacts with ninhydrin to form a purple, blue or pink color complex.
Chemical properties of amino acids

9. • Transamination:
• Transfer of amino group from an amino acid to a keto acid is known as
transamination.
Chemical properties of amino acids

10. THANK YOU
HYGIA GROUP OF INSTITUTIONS
GHAILA ROAD, GAAZIPUR BALRAM,
FAIZULLAHGANJ, LUCKNOW