Amino acids are organic compounds that contain amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. They consist of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen and are the building blocks of proteins. The first few amino acids were discovered in the early 1800s, with the last one discovered in 1935. Amino acids are important for protein synthesis, tissue repair, and other cellular functions in the body. Proteins are composed of one or more chains of amino acids and perform many important roles in the body like catalysing reactions and transporting molecules. Amino acids are digested and absorbed in the stomach and small intestine and provide nutritional value, supporting functions throughout the body. Certain genetic conditions can impact the absorption of amino acids.

1. Amino Acid

2. Amino Acids
• Amino acids are organic compounds that contain
amino[a] (−NH+3) and carboxylic acid (−CO2H)
functional groups, along with a side chain (R group)
specific to each amino acid.
• The elements present in every amino acid are
carbon (C), hydrogen (H), oxygen (O), and nitrogen
(N) (CHON);
• In addition sulfur (S) is present in the side chains of
cysteine and methionine, and selenium (Se) in the
less common amino acid selenocysteine.

3. • Amino Acid, any of a group of organic molecules
that consist of a basic amino group (―NH2), an
acidic carboxyl group (―COOH), and an organic R
group (or side chain) that is unique to each amino
acid.
• The term amino acid is short for α-amino [alpha-
amino] carboxylic acid.

4. • Each molecule contains a central carbon (C) atom,
called the α-carbon, to which both an amino and a
carboxyl group are attached.
• The remaining two bonds of the α-carbon atom
are generally satisfied by a hydrogen (H) atom and
the R group. The formula of a general amino acid
is:

5. History
• The first few amino acids were discovered in the
early 1800s.
• In 1806, French Louis-Nicolas and Pierre isolated
asparagus that was named asparagine, the first
amino acid.
• Cystine was discovered in 1810
• Glycine and leucine were discovered in 1820.
• The last of the 20 common amino acids to be
discovered was threonine in 1935 by William C
Rose.

7. BIOMEDICAL IMPORTANCE
• L-α-Amino acids provide the monomer units of the
long polypeptide chains of proteins.
• Amino Acids and their derivatives participate in
cellular functions such as nerve transmission
• Amino Acids are involved in biosynthesis of
porphyrins, purines, pyrimidines and urea.

29. Proteins

30. Protein
• Proteins are large biomolecules and
macromolecules that comprise one or more long
chains of amino acid residues.
• Proteins perform a vast array of functions
catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication,
responding to stimuli, providing structure to
cells and organisms, and transporting molecules
from one location to another

38. Nutritional Value of Amino Acids
• They're vital for functions throughout your body,
including protein synthesis, tissue repair, and
nutrient absorption.
• Some may also help prevent muscle loss, support
recovery after surgery, and improve mood, sleep,
and athletic performance.

40. Sohaib F.
Khawaja

42. Sources of Amino Acids

48. Protein Digestion and Absorption

51. PROTEIN DIGESTION IN THE STOMACH

54. PROTEIN DIGESTION
AND ABSORPTION IN
THE SMALL INTESTINE

65. Hartnup disease
• Hartnup disease is a condition caused by the
body's inability to absorb certain protein building
blocks (amino acids) from the diet.
• As a result, affected individuals are not able to use
these amino acids to produce other substances,
such as vitamins and proteins

67. Hartnup’s Disease

78. Ammonia
• Ammonia is a colorless highly irritating gas with a
sharp suffocating odor.
• It dissolves easily in water to form ammonium
hydroxide solution which can cause irritation and
burns.
• Ammonia gas is easily compressed and forms a
clear, colorless liquid under pressure.

91. 91

92. 92

93. 93