They are small molecules, amphoteric, soluble in water
- An amino acid is made up of a carbon atom on which
are fixed a carboxyl group COOH, a group
amine NH2, a hydrogen atom and a side chain R
- The side chain presents physicochemical properties
particular: it can be basic, acidic, polar, non-polar or neutral in nature
- The breakdown of amino acids takes place in the liver, and the product is then
released with the release of urea