20 Amino Acids - Essential and Non Essential Amino Acid Function and Sequence

Amino acids are the building blocks (monomers) of proteins. 20 different amino acids are used to synthesize proteins. The shape and other properties of each protein is dictated by the precise sequence of amino acids in it.

All types of physiological processes relating to sport - energy, recovery, muscle / strength gains and fat loss, as well as mood and brain function - are intimately and critically linked to amino acids. It's no wonder amino acids have become major players in athletes' supplementation, especially among bodybuilders.

Each amino acid consists of an alpha carbon atom to which is attached

a hydrogen atom
an amino group (hence "amino" acid)
a carboxyl group (-COOH). This gives up a proton and is thus an acid (hence amino "acid")
one of 20 different "R" groups. It is the structure of the R group that determines which of the 20 it is and its special properties.

List of Amino Acids and their Abbreviation

Nonpolar Amino Acids (hydrophobic)

Amino Acids	Three letter code	Single letter code
Glycine	Gly	G
Alanine	Ala	A
Valine	Val	V
Leucine	Leu	L
Isoleucine	Ile	I
Methionine	Met	M
Phenylalanine	Phe	F
Tryptophan	Trp	W
Proline	Pro	P

Polar Amino Acids (hydrophilic)

Amino Acids	Three letter code	Single letter code
Serine	Ser	S
Threonine	Thr	T
Cysteine	Cys	C
Tyrosine	Tyr	Y
Asparagine	Asn	N
Glutamine	Gln	Q

Electrically Charged Amino Acids (negative and hydrophilic)

Amino Acids	Three letter code	Single letter code
Aspartic acid	Asp	D
Glutamic acid	Glu	E

Electrically Charged Amino Acids (positive and hydrophilic)

Amino Acids	Three letter code	Single letter code
Lysine	Lys	K
Arginine	Arg	R
Histidine	His	H

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