MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Amino acids

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Amino acids

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Illustrations

Amino acids

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Amino acids are organic compounds that combine to form proteins. When proteins are digested, amino acids are left. They are classified as either "essential" amino acids (which must be consumed in the diet), or "nonessential" amino acids (which can be made by the body from the essential amino acids).

Update Date: 7/21/2003

Updated by: A.D.A.M. editorial. Previously reviewed by Aparna Oltikar, M.D., Department of Community Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network (2/4/2001).

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