1. AMINO ACIDS

2. This image shows the chirality of amino acids/cis-trans versions of the amino acids alanine and proline. Credit: T Blundell and N Campillo, Wellcome Images. Chirality of amino acids/cis-trans

3. Alanine is coded for in the genome and is therefore a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. Alanine is one of the simplest amino acids in terms of its structure and features in the production of a variety of proteins. The main role of alanine is in the metabolism of glucose. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Alanine

4. Arginine is coded for in the genome, but is considered a semi-essential amino acid. This means the body normally makes enough of it, but additional supplementation is sometimes needed. Arginine is important in the removal of ammonia from the body and in the production of urea. It may also have roles in wound healing and cell division. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Arginine

5. Asparagine is coded for in the genome and therefore is a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. Asparagine plays a part in the biosynthesis of other proteins and is important for correct function of the brain and nervous system. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Asparagine

6. Aspartic acid is coded for in the genome and therefore is a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. It plays an important part in the citric acid (or ‘Krebs’) cycle in energy production and can stimulate NMDA receptors. It is therefore thought to help concentration and brain function. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Aspartic acid

7. Cysteine is coded for in the genome and is therefore, a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. However, it may be required in the diet of young infants, the elderly and individuals with metabolic diseases. Cysteine helps protect cells from free radicals and plays a vital part in the detoxification function of the liver. Cysteine is an essential amino acid in other animals. For example, it’s required by sheep for wool production and must be ingested and assimilated from grass. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Cysteine

8. Glutamic acid is coded for in the genome and is therefore a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. Glutamic acid is a key molecule in cellular metabolism, particularly in the metabolism of sugars and fats. Glutamates (salts of glutamic acid) are a very important and abundant neurotransmitter. They are also important for brain function. However, some glutamates, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), have prompted health concerns. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Glutamic acid

9. Glutamine is the most abundant non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. Glutamine plays a part in ammonia removal and is important in the function of the immune system. It can become a conditional essential amino acid after illness or injury when the body requires higher levels than it can make. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Glutamine

10. Glycine is coded for in the genome and is therefore a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. Glycine is normally only required in small amounts with the exception of collagen, which is composed of a high percentage of glycine molecules. It’s also used to produce many naturally occurring products and as an additive in a number of products. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Glycine

11. Hystidine is an essential amino acid in children and is required as part of our diet. However, as humans grow they begin to synthesise it, and it becomes a non-essential amino acid, meaning the body can produce its own supply and it doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. Hystidine is commonly involved in enzymatic reactions. It’s also required for histamine production, which acts to stimulate the inflammatory response. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Hystidine

12. Isoleucine is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be made by the body and needs to be obtained through diet. Isoleucine is an isoform of leucine and is required for the formation of haemoglobin. It is also commonly involved in muscle recovery after exercise. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Isoleucine

13. Leucine is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be made by the body and needs to be obtained through diet. Leucine is important for the production of haemoglobin and is required in muscle, adipose and liver tissue. It’s important in preventing muscle degradation. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Leucine

14. Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be made by the body and needs to be obtained through diet. Lysine plays a part in calcium absorptions, and derivatives of lysine are required for the production of elastin and collagen. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Lysine

15. Methionine is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be made by the body and needs to be obtained through diet. It’s essential in methylation, a process where a methyl group is added to compounds. It’s also involved in the breakdown of fat and the sulphur assists in the removal of free radicals. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Methionine

16. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be made by the body and needs to be obtained through diet. It’s commonly found in breast milk, and it is important in the production of various brain chemicals and has an impact on mood, energy, alertness and memory. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Phenylalanine

17. Proline is one of the 20 amino acids coded for in the genome and produced by the body making it a non- essential amino acid. Proline is also synthesised from glutamic acid. It’s important for development of skin and connective tissue. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Proline

18. Serine is a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. Serine is important in metabolism and is the precursor to many other amino acids and metabolites. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Serine

19. Threonine is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be made by the body and needs to be obtained through diet. Good sources of threonine are found in meat, dairy and eggs. It is a precursor for some other amino acids such as glycine and serine. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Threonine

20. Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be made by the body and needs to be obtained through diet. It’s thought to be required in the production of various neurotransmitters, including serotonin, and it may help reduce anxiety and aid sleep. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Tryptophan

21. Tyrosine is one of the 20 amino acids coded for by the genome, so it is a non-essential amino acid, which means that it can be produced by the body and doesn’t need to come from the food we eat. It can be synthesised from phenylalanine and plays a part in signal transduction, acting as a receiver of phosphate groups. It’s also a precursor to the pigment melanin. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Tyrosine

22. Valine is an essential amino acid, which means it cannot be made by the body and needs to be obtained through diet. In sickle cell disease, valine is present instead of glutamic acid in haemoglobin, and as a result the protein doesn't fold correctly making it less efficient at carrying oxygen. Credit: Maurizio De Angelis, Wellcome Images. BIGPICTUREEDUCATION.COM Valine