Q. What are the 20 amino acids?

The 20 amino acids are the standard building blocks used by the human body to make proteins. They include alanine, glycine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, serine, threonine, cysteine, methionine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, glutamine, lysine, arginine, histidine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, and proline.

These amino acids play roles in muscle growth, enzyme activity, hormone production, and immune function. Some are essential, meaning they must come from food, while others can be synthesized by the body. Understanding these amino acids is foundational in biology, nutrition, and medical science.