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Question

Are amino acids and fatty acids really acids?

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Solution

Yes amino acids and fatty acids are real acids with carboxyl group in it.

AMINO ACIDS

Acids are building block of proteins and body tissues. There are 20 alpha-amino acids, known as standard amino acids or proteiogenic amino acids, which constitute proteins.

All alpha-amino acids have an alpha-carbon to which one amino group (primary amine), one carboxyl group, one hydrogen atom and a side chain R are attached. In simplest amino acid glycine, R = H. Among the 20 standard amino acids, 19 amino acids are alpha-amino acids, whereas proline is imino acid.

Amino acids yield various product on oxidation.

FATTY ACIDS

Fatty acids are formed by hydrolysis of fats like triacyl glycerol or TGs. Each fatty acid molecule has a carboxyl group attached with an aliphatic chain. Fatty acids may be saturated or unsaturated. Examples of fatty acids are palmitate, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, etc.

Fatty acids with even number of carbons yeild acetyl Coenzyme A ( CoA) on beta-oxidation, where as fatty acids with odd number of carbons yeild acetyl CoA and propionyl CoA.


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