L-amino acids

Left-handed protein precursors

L-amino acids are the molecular form of amino acids found in virtually all proteins in living organisms.

Amino acids can exist in two mirror-image configurations—L and D—like left and right hands.

Life on Earth uses almost exclusively the L form for building proteins, though the reason for this preference remains one of biology's fundamental mysteries.

All twenty standard amino acids in human proteins are L-amino acids.

Related

chirality · enzymes · nitrogen · carboxyl · backbone · synthesis · essential · tryptophan · methionine · translation · codons · mRNA · nutrition · muscle · collagen · keratin · folding · chains

Opposites
biological function/naturalness

L-amino acidsglycine

Simplest amino acid

Family

amino, acid, acids, amines, amide, ammonia, ammonium, acidic, acidity

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Used worldwide · Timeless · Rated G