BSC 2010C Lecture Notes - Hemoglobin, Collagen, Chemical Formula
Document Summary
Glycine is the simplest of the 20 amino acids that make up proteins. It is a non-essential amino acid, which means that the body can synthesize it from other nutrients and does not need to obtain it from the diet. Glycine has a simple structure, consisting of a single hydrogen atom as its side chain, which is why it is also known as the amino ethanoic acid. Despite its simplicity, glycine plays important roles in various biological processes. For example, it is involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids and bile acids, and it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, where it acts by binding to glycine receptors and reducing the activity of neurons. Glycine is also involved in the production of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, which provides structural support to tissues such as skin, bones, and cartilage.
