This image illustrates the general structure of an amino acid.The central carbon atom (C) is bonded to a hydrogen atom (H), an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), and a variable side chain (R ...

The linear sequence of amino acids within a protein is considered the primary structure of the protein. Proteins are built from a set of only twenty amino acids, each of which has a unique side chain.

Each protein is a molecule made up of different combinations of 20 types of smaller, simpler amino acids. Protein molecules are long chains of amino acids that are folded into a three-dimensional ...

The specific structure of a protein determines its unique biological function. (click on image to enlarge) (Image: National Human Genom Research Institute) Proteins are built from a set of 20 standard ...

The sequence of amino acids in the chain determines how the ... form attachments and interact with many other molecules and structures inside organisms. The shape of a protein determines what ...

The building blocks for life, including salts, organic matter and amino acids have been found in samples returned to Earth ...