The tyrosine is an aromatic amino acid, which can absorb light. It is formed form phenylalanine by the reaction catalyzed by phenylalanine hydroxylase. The phenylalanine is essential amino acid but tyrosine is not, provided the diet contains adequate quantities of phenylalanine. The reaction is not reversible, so tyrosine cannot replace the requirement for phenylalanine. Tyrosine has to sparing action, because if tyrosine is fed then need to phenylalanine in the body is decreased. Both the amino acids are ketogenic and at the same glycogenic. Both have immense metabolic role in the body, and are metabolized through the common pathways. The catabolism of tyrosine results in formation of acetoacetic acid, phenol, tyramine, epinephrine (adrenaline), non-epinephrine (nor adrenaline), thyroid hormones, and melanin in separate reactions.

Tyrosine is essential for protein synthesis and serves as a precursor for thyroxin, melanin, and catecholamine.

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Phenylalanine: The phenylalanine is an essential amino acid. It is not synthesized in the body but in the micro-organism it is synthesized where one molecule of D-erythrose-4 phosphate and two molecules of phosphot-enolpyruvic acid are required. Metabolic breakdown of phenylalanine lead to formation of tyrosine, phenyl acetic acid, phenyl lactic acid, and tissue protein in separate reactions.

The phenylalanine gets first converted to tyrosine by phenylalanine hydroxylase. One of the major hereditary metabolic disorder called phenylketonuria impairs this conversion is hyperpheylalaninemia i.e. mental retardation. This is due to absence of the enzyme phenylalanine oxidase responsible for this conversion, causing defective mental development in children and a high plasma phenylalanine and its increased excretion in urine.

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Tryptophan: It is an amino-indolepropionic acid. It is essential and should not be omitted in the diet. It’s not synthesized in the body, but may be synthesized in the micro-organism, E.coli. It is neither ketogenic nor glycogenic. Though this amino acid is very essential for the body, yet it is inefficiently utilized in the body, and a large amount of tryptophan is excreted in urine.

The amino acids being colourless do not absorb visible light and ultraviolet light of a wavelength above 240 mm. The exception being aromatic amino acids which includes histidine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan. The ultraviolent absorption of proteins above 240 mm wavelength is due to their tryptophan content.

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In bodybuilding circles, the term “Amino acids” is often thrown around casually. Most bodybuilders know it has to do with protein. And some know if from that green syrup you can sip after workouts. But what are they, and how are they the building blocks for everything muscle?

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Amino acids are the basic structural units of proteins. They are commonly classified into six (6) groups based on the chemical or structural properties of their side chains (I will talk about groups of amino acids in another article). In total, there are 20: aspartic acid, glutamic acid, alanine, arginine, asparagine, cystine, glutamine, glycine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, tryptophan and valine.

Amino acids are found in many forms of life. They form short polymer chains called peptides or longer chains called either polypeptides or proteins. They constitute the basic elements of peptides, which contain about ten. Each peptide is linked to another by a peptide bond. Each of these combinations giving rise to different protein structures with a specific function.

What is the role of amino acids?

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Amino acids are very small biomolecules with an average molecular weight of about 135 daltons. The 20 amino acids that are found within proteins convey a vast array of chemical versatility. Amino acid is a molecule that contains both amine and carboxyl functional groups. Amino acids play central roles both as building blocks of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism. The 20 amino acids that are found within proteins convey a vast array of chemical versatility. Protein substances make up the muscles, tendons, organs, glands, nails, and hair. Growth, repair and maintenance of all cells are dependent upon them. Amino acid side chains can be polar, non-polar, or practically neutral. Polar side chains tend to be present on the surface of a protein where they can interact with the aqueous environment found in cells. On the other hand, non-polar amino acids tend to reside within the center of the protein where they can interact with similar non-polar neighbors. Most amino acids can exist in either of two optical isomers, called D and L. The L-amino acids represent the vast majority of amino acids found in proteins. A soy protein powder and whey protein powder are good options to provide more protein in the diet for better muscle building.

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