Histidine

Definition

Histidine is an essential amino acid involved in protein synthesis and enzyme activity. It plays a crucial role in the growth and repair of tissues.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Histidine is a precursor to histamine, which is important in immune responses.
2. It is positively charged at physiological pH, making it important in enzyme active sites.
3. Histidine is encoded by the codons CAU and CAC in genetic sequences.
4. It participates in the regulation of pH within cells due to its ability to accept and donate protons.
5. Histidine residues are commonly found in the active sites of enzymes, where they play a key role in catalysis.

Review Questions

• What are the primary functions of histidine in the human body?
• How does histidine contribute to enzyme activity?
• Which codons encode for histidine?

Related terms

Amino Acid: Organic compounds that combine to form proteins, serving as building blocks of life.

Enzyme: Proteins that act as biological catalysts, speeding up chemical reactions in cells.

Codon: A sequence of three nucleotides that together form a unit of genetic code, specifying an amino acid or stop signal during protein synthesis.