Biopolymeric structures: Proteins are biopolymeric structures composed of amino acids, of which there are 20 common ones found in biological chemistry[1], participating in nearly all cellular activities. Click physiopedia for more information

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Essential and non-essential

Nutritionists divide amino acids into two groups - essential amino acids (must be in the diet because cells can’t synthesize them) and non-essential amino acids (can be made by cells). This classification of amino acids has little to do with the structure of amino acids. Essential amino acids vary considerable from one organism to another and even differ in humans, depending on whether they are adults or children. Table 2.1 shows essential and non-essential amino acids in humans.

Some amino acids that are normally nonessential, may need to be obtained from the diet in certain cases. Individuals who do not synthesize sufficient amounts of arginine, cysteine, glutamine, proline, selenocysteine, serine, and tyrosine, due to illness, for example, may need dietary supplements containing these amino acids.

L configuration: "every amino acid found in cells and in proteins is in the L configuration."

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