Question

What are amino acids $?$ Discuss their types and functions.

Answer 1

Amino acids are those organic compounds which contain both amino and acidic groups. Thus they contain the amino group and an acidic group called carboxyl group. The classification of amino acids can be done in various ways. Different amino acids have different roles in our body.

Complete answer:
Amino acid is a group of molecules which have an amino group $\left( {N{H_2}} \right)$ , a carboxyl group $\left( { - COOH} \right)$ and a carbon chain. Thus the amino group and carboxyl group are two main contents of the amino acids. Amino acids are the basic units which can polymerize to make a large molecule known as protein. Hence amino acids are considered as the basic units of proteins. Therefore they are the building block of any protein.
Amino acids can be classified on the basis of the carbon chain group, polarity and carbon chain group, nutritional requirements of the body and others too. Here we will discuss the classification of amino acids on the basis of requirement in the body. Thus on the basis of requirement of the body amino acids can be classified into two types namely:
$1.$ Essential Amino Acids: These acids are not manufactured inside the human body. Therefore these amino acids must come from the food we eat.
For example: Arginine, Histidine, Leucine, Valine.
They help in improving the oxygen supply to muscles, to regulate sleep. They help in synthesis of hormones.
$2.$Non- essential Amino Acids: These amino acids can be prepared inside the human body and they are not required to be taken from food. Thus these amino acids are termed as non-essential amino acids.
For example: Alanine, glutamine, tyrosine.
They help in support in the growth rate of tissue and repairing of the tissues. They also help in formation of red blood cells.

Note:
Amino acids basically consist of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and hydrogen. They can be classified into various types of different properties of amino acids. Basically there are twenty amino acids which are categorised as essential and non-essential amino acids.