Definition

1. Noun:
   • An organic compound containing both an amino group (-NH₂) and a carboxylic acid group (-COOH): An aminoalkanoic acid is the fundamental molecular building block of proteins. In biological contexts, these compounds are more commonly known as amino acids.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Glycine is the simplest aminoalkanoic acid.
  • The sequence of aminoalkanoic acids determines a protein's structure and function.
  • Scientists study how different aminoalkanoic acids interact.

Advanced Usage

• "Alpha-aminoalkanoic acid": A specific type where the amino group is attached to the carbon atom immediately adjacent to the carboxylic acid group (the alpha carbon). This is the structure of the standard amino acids that make up proteins.
  • Most proteins are polymers of alpha-aminoalkanoic acids.

Variants and Related Words

• Amino acid (n): The common, abbreviated term for aminoalkanoic acid, especially in biochemistry and nutrition.
  • Essential amino acids must be obtained from the diet.

Synonyms

• Amino acid: The standard and most frequently used synonym in scientific and general contexts.
• Proteinogenic amino acid: Specifically refers to the ~20 aminoalkanoic acids encoded by DNA and used to build proteins.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Peptide bond: The chemical bond formed between the carboxylic acid group of one aminoalkanoic acid and the amino group of another during protein synthesis.
  • A chain of aminoalkanoic acids linked by peptide bonds forms a polypeptide.
• Side chain (R-group): The variable part of an aminoalkanoic acid that gives each its unique chemical properties.
  • The properties of an aminoalkanoic acid are largely determined by its side chain.

Noun

1. organic compounds containing an amino group and a carboxylic acid group
   • proteins are composed of various proportions of about 20 common amino acids