Words / B2

uh-MEEN-oh/əˈmiːnəʊ/

Amino refers to the chemical group —NH₂: an amino group; amino acids. Amino acids are the building units of proteins. Protein is the polymer; peptide is a short chain; base in DNA is a different chemistry. Name the amino acid in the biochemistry table, then the three-letter code. Mix-up: amino vs ammo; ammonia (related but not the same); do not write amino for a protein-shake slogan with no residue named.

Meaning

Of the chemical group —NH₂; amino acids are the building units of proteins.

Examples

• “Name the amino acid in the biochemistry table, then the three-letter code, not a protein-shake slogan.”
• “An amino group featured in the structural formula, which is the —NH₂ sense — still count the atoms if asked.”

Good to know

an amino group / acid; amino acids in proteins. Related: peptide / protein. Trap: ammo / ammonia as the whole answer. Chemistry and biology. Of the —NH₂ group — name the residue or quote the code.

Near in meaning

amino acid, peptide unit, NH₂ group

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