Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom, an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines its unique properties. There are 20 standard amino acids, each represented by a three-letter abbreviation and a one-letter code.
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Abbreviations in Biochemistry
In biochemistry, amino acids are often represented by one-letter or three-letter abbreviations for convenience. For example, the one-letter code 'G' corresponds to the amino acid Glycine. Understanding these abbreviations is essential for interpreting protein sequences and structures in molecular biology.
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Glycine
Glycine is the simplest amino acid, characterized by its single hydrogen atom as its side chain (R group). It is non-polar and plays a crucial role in protein synthesis, serving as a building block for various proteins. Glycine is also involved in neurotransmission and is important for the synthesis of other biomolecules.
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