Life's 20 Amino Acids Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. A generic amino acid consists of an amino group and a carboxylic acid group each connected to the central "alpha-carbon" atom, to which is also connected the unique part of each amino acid referred to as it's residue (R). As both a learning aid and a reference for the names and corresponding atomic structure of the 20 amino acid molecules common to life, the adjacent tables are linked so that clicking on any residue image or amino acid name causes the corresponding element to be highlighted. The images show the type, arrangement, and bonds of the atoms composing each "residue", and the background color indicates the residue's affinity for water (hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or amphipathic), all according to the following legend: (graphics from Protein Structure & Function, Petsco & Ringe)

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