Alpha-, beta- and gamma-amino acids

All the amino acids that constitute proteins and are coded in the genome are alpha-amino acids, which, as we have seen, means that the amino group is bound to the carbon adjacent to the carboxylic group. Although less frequent, we can find in living organisms some beta-amino acids forming part of some peptides and also gamma-amino acids in other situations.

The models correspond to the 3 kinds of amino acid. Work with them until you are confident to say which one is each.

Choose your answers and click on