The main difference between alpha beta and gamma amino acids is their structure. In alpha amino acids, the amino group is attached to the alpha carbon, which is the carbon atom next to the carboxyl group, whereas in beta amino acid, the amino acid group is attached to the carbon atom, two positions away from the carboxyl group, and in gamma amino acids, the amino group is attached to the carbon, three positions away from the carboxyl group.
Amino acids are organic compounds having both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Amino acids combine together to form proteins that are essential for life. They are necessary for the growth, repair, and maintenance of tissues in the body. They are also important for various biological processes, such as enzyme function, hormone regulation, and neurotransmitter synthesis. Moreover, amino acids can be classified as alpha amino acids, beta amino acids, and gamma amino acids based on the differences in their structure.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Alpha Amino Acids
– Definition, Structure, Features
2. What are Beta Amino Acids
– Definition, Structure, Features
3. What are Gamma Amino Acids
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Alpha Beta and Gamma Amino Acids
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Alpha Amino Acids, Beta Amino Acids, Gamma Amino Acids
What are Alpha Amino Acids
Alpha amino acids are amino acids in which the amino group is attached to the alpha carbon, which is the carbon atom next to the carboxyl group. Alpha amino acids are organic compounds. They consist of an amino group, a carboxyl group, and a side chain. Moreover, there are 20 common alpha amino acids in proteins.
The simplest alpha amino acid is glycine, which has a hydrogen atom as its side chain. Glycine is the only alpha-amino acid that is not chiral. That means it does not have a stereoisomer that is a mirror image of itself. Instead, glycine has two identical mirror planes that divide it into two symmetrical halves. The other 19 alpha amino acids are chiral, which means they have a mirror image. However, there is a variation of the side chains in alpha-amino acids. For example, the side chain of alanine is a methyl group, whereas that of tyrosine is a complex aromatic ring.
The 20 alpha amino acids can be further sub-classified according to how the properties of other functional groups in the ‘R’ groups influence the system. They could be classified as non-polar side chains, polar, acidic, and basic. Non-polar amino acids have side chains that are hydrophobic or water-repelling, while polar amino acids have side chains that are hydrophilic or water-attracting. Acidic amino acids have side chains that are negatively charged, and basic amino acids have side chains that are positively charged. These 20 naturally occurring amino acids can also be classified as essential amino acids and non-essential amino acids.
The Function of Alpha Amino Acids
Alpha amino acids help in protein synthesis and other biological processes. For example, many amino acids act as precursors for the synthesis of neurotransmitters and hormones. Also, they involve in energy metabolism. When the glucose levels are low, amino acids can be used as a source of energy.
What are Beta Amino Acids
Beta amino acids are the amino acids in which the amino acid group is attached to the carbon atom two positions away from the carboxyl group. Some examples of beta-amino acids are beta-alanine and beta-aminoisobutyric acid.
Moreover, beta-amino acids have many applications. Beta amino acids are used in drug design and as antimicrobial agents. They also have applications in material science, especially in making polymers.
What are Gamma Amino Acids
Gamma amino acids are amino acids in which the amino group is attached to the carbon three positions away from the carboxyl group. One example of a gamma-amino acid is gamma-aminobutyric acid.
Gamma amino acids are used in drug design. They are also used as antiepileptic agents. Gamma amino acids also have applications in material science, especially in polymer making.
Difference Between Alpha Beta and Gamma Amino Acids
Definition
Alpha amino acids are amino acids in which the amino group is attached to the alpha carbon, which is the carbon atom next to the carboxyl group, while beta-amino acids are the amino acids in which the amino acid group is attached to the carbon atom two positions away from the carboxyl group. On the other hand, gamma amino acids are amino acids in which the amino group is attached to the carbon three positions away from the carboxyl group.
Structure
In alpha amino acids, the amino group is attached to the alpha carbon, which is the carbon atom next to the carboxyl group, whereas in beta amino acid, the amino acid group is attached to the carbon atom, two positions away from the carboxyl group, and in gamma amino acids, the amino group is attached to the carbon, three positions away from the carboxyl group.
Stability
Alpha amino acids are more stable than beta and gamma amino acids.
Conclusion
Amino acids are organic compounds having both amino and carboxylic acid functional groups. Amino acids can be classified as alpha amino acids, beta-amino acids, and gamma-amino acids. However, the main difference between alpha beta and gamma amino acids is their structure. In alpha amino acids, the amino group is attached to the alpha carbon, which is the carbon atom next to the carboxyl group, whereas in beta amino acid, the amino acid group is attached to the carbon atom, two positions away from the carboxyl group, and in gamma amino acids, the amino group is attached to the carbon, three positions away from the carboxyl group.
Reference:
1. “Alpha Amino Acid.” Britannica Encyclopedia.
2. “Beta Amino Acid.” Science Direct.
3. “Gamma Amino Acid.” Science Direct.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Alpha-Amino Acids V.1” By Jü – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Beta alanine comparison” By Opabinia regalisvector version byGYassineMrabetTalk✉ – from Beta alanine comparison.png made by Opabinia regalis. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “Gamma-Amino Acid Formula V2” By Jü – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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