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AAT Bioquest

What is the simplest amino acid?

Posted January 27, 2023


Answer

Glycine is the simplest amino acid. It is considered the simplest of the twenty types of amino acids available because it lacks any R or variable groups and has only one hydrogen atom in its side chains. Glycine has an amino and a carboxyl group and its chemical formula is C2H5NO2. It occurs naturally as a colorless, crystalline solid and is found in almost all stored foods.

Additional resources

Glycine

Glycine (0.1 M, pH 2.2) Preparation and Recipe

5-ROX glycine *Fluorescence reference standard for PCR reactions*