Amino acid/List of amino acids

The 20 amino acids used in the translation (synthesis of proteins): a Essential in this context means that the amino acids must be consumed as part of the human diet, they cannot be made (in humans) by converting one amino acid into another.

b Technical word for "looks like a pair of gloves" (chiral molecules are like gloves in that they are made from all the same parts, but are mirror images of each other)

Two special amino acids: