๐Ÿชintro to astronomy review

key term - Amino acids

Definition

Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins, which are crucial for the structure and function of living organisms. They play a key role in processes such as the synthesis of enzymes and hormones.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. There are 20 standard amino acids that make up proteins in living organisms.
  2. Amino acids can be categorized into essential and non-essential types, with essential ones needing to be obtained from food.
  3. The presence of amino acids in extraterrestrial environments is considered a potential indicator of life.
  4. Amino acids have been found on meteorites, suggesting that these building blocks of life could be widespread in the universe.
  5. The Miller-Urey experiment demonstrated that amino acids could be synthesized from simple chemical reactions under conditions thought to resemble those of early Earth.

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