This document summarizes the properties of 7 non-polar amino acids: glycine, alanine, proline, valine, leucine, isoleucine, and methionine. It describes their molecular structures, roles in proteins and metabolic pathways. Glycine is the smallest amino acid and participates in purine synthesis. Alanine transports ammonia from muscles to liver. Valine, leucine and isoleucine are branched chain amino acids, and their metabolism defects cause maple syrup urine disease. Proline has a cyclic side chain and causes protein folding. Methionine donates methyl groups and its metabolism impacts cardiovascular health.