Learning Amino Acids in 20 Minutes

Introduction

• Objective: Memorize the structures of 20 amino acids in 20 minutes.
• Recommended Method: Pause the video frequently, draw structures, repeat the process two to three times.
• Focus: Memorization of structures, not chemistry.
• Prerequisites: Know the one-letter and three-letter amino acid symbols.

Amino Acid Basic Structure

• All amino acids have an amino terminal and a carboxylate terminal.
• Glycine: Simplest amino acid, side group is just hydrogen.
• Other Amino Acids: Have a beta carbon in addition to an alpha carbon.

Individual Amino Acid Structures

Glycine

• Symbol: G
• Structure: Side group is two hydrogens.

Alanine

• Symbol: A
• Structure: Straight backbone with a methyl group (CH3).

Valine

• Symbol: V
• Structure: Backbone + V-shaped side group.

Leucine

• Symbol: L
• Structure: L-shaped side chain with a branch.

Isoleucine

• Symbol: I
• Structure: Backbone + half an I-shaped side group.

Methionine

• Symbol: M
• Structure: Contains sulfur, imagination needed to see the M and S in its structure.

Proline

• Symbol: P
• Structure: Cyclic structure, completes a five-membered ring with its own nitrogen.

Phenylalanine

• Symbol: F
• Structure: Phenyl group attached to alanine.

Tyrosine

• Symbol: Y
• Structure: Hydroxylated phenylalanine (phenyl group + hydroxyl).

Tryptophan

• Symbol: W
• Structure: Benzene ring + five-membered ring with nitrogen.

Serine

• Symbol: S
• Structure: Simple hydroxy group attached.

Threonine

• Symbol: T
• Structure: Backbone + T structure with hydroxy group.