The amino acids are water-soluble organic substances, which contain an amino and a carboxyl group. The amino radical consists of a nitrogen atom and two hydrogen atoms, and has a free valence. The carboxyl is made of hydrogen, oxygen and carbon, and also has a free valence. There are more than 80 amino acids, of which about 24 make up the protein building blocks of animal and plant cells. The amino acids that are used by living organisms for the formation of proteins are broken down during metabolism via decarboxylation processes, transsaminación and oxidative deamination. The first is obtained carbon dioxide and biogenic primary amines or substances which have a significant physiological activity. In the second, the amino group binds to a coenzyme and keto acid is released. The oxidative deamination process generates ammonia and a keto acid.
Are those that can not be synthesized by the body and must be incorporated in the diet.