BSC 2010C Lecture Notes - Alanine, Methyl Group, Pyruvic Acid
Document Summary
Alanine is a non-essential amino acid that is involved in a variety of biological processes. It is synthesized in the body from other amino acids and does not need to be obtained from the diet. Alanine has a simple structure, consisting of a methyl group as its side chain, which is why it is also known as 2-aminopropanoic acid. Alanine is important in energy metabolism, as it can be converted into pyruvate, a key intermediate in the breakdown of glucose to produce energy. This conversion occurs through the action of the enzyme alanine transaminase, which transfers an amino group from alanine to alpha-ketoglutarate, producing pyruvate and glutamate. In addition to its role in energy metabolism, alanine also plays important roles in protein synthesis and degradation. It is a component of proteins and is involved in the formation of peptide bonds between amino acids during protein synthesis.
