BSC 2010C Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Valine, Skeletal Muscle, Chemical Formula
Document Summary
Valine is one of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins and is classified as an essential amino acid because it cannot be synthesized in the body and must be obtained from the diet. It is an aliphatic amino acid, meaning that its side chain is a straight chain of carbon atoms. Valine has a complex structure, consisting of a three-carbon chain with a branched side chain that contains four carbon atoms. Valine is important for protein synthesis and plays a critical role in maintaining muscle mass and function. It is particularly important in skeletal muscle, where it is a major component of muscle proteins such as myosin and actin. Valine also helps to regulate muscle metabolism and promotes the growth and repair of muscle tissue. Valine is also involved in energy metabolism, as it can be converted into glucose in the liver through a process called gluconeogenesis.
