Derivatives refer to compounds in which atoms or groups of atoms in the parent compound molecule are replaced by other atoms or groups of atoms, and are called derivatives of the parent compound.

Amino acid derivatives mean that the hydrogen atoms on the R group of amino acids are replaced by other heteroatoms or groups containing heteroatoms. The combined deamination of amino acids is used to synthesize amino acid derivatives.

Many substances in the human body, such as adrenaline and thyroid hormone, are amino acid derivatives. Amino acid derivatives are substances formed by the combination of amino acids through a series of reactions. For example, the combined deamination of amino acids to synthesize amino acid derivatives, that is to say, the predecessor of amino acid derivatives is amino acid

Adrenaline

Adrenaline is a derivative of tyrosine. Its derivation pathway is: tyrosine → dopa → dopamine → norepinephrine → epinephrine.

Thyroid Hormone

Derivatives refer to compounds formed by replacing atoms or groups of atoms in the molecule of the parent compound with other atoms or groups of atoms, and are called derivatives of the parent compound. Thyroid hormone is an amino acid whose four hydrogens are replaced by four iodine, so it is a derivative of amino acids.

Classification of amino acids

There are many ways to classify amino acids. At present, the structure and properties of the R group of amino acids are often used as the basis for amino acid classification. According to the structure of the side chain R group, 20 amino acids can be divided into seven categories:

(1) R is an aliphatic amino acid; (2) R is an aromatic amino acid; (3) R is an amino acid containing a sulfur group; (4) R is an amino acid containing an alcohol group; ( 5) R is an amino acid with a basic group; (6) R is an amino acid with an acidic group; (7) R is an amino acid with an amide group.

According to the polarity of the R group, amino acids can be divided into four categories:

(1) Non-polar R group amino acids; (2) Polar uncharged R group amino acids; (3) R group negatively charged amino acids; (4) R group positively charged amino acids. This classification method is more conducive to illustrate the role of different amino acids in the structure and function of proteins. The names of amino acids are often represented by three-letter abbreviations, and sometimes single-letter abbreviations are also used.