Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Amino Acid Count 
Name: Steven
Status: Student
Grade:  Other
Location: Outside U.S.
Country: Greece
Date: Spring 2010
Question:
Are there more than 20 amino acids on earth?


Replies:
Steve,

Twenty-two amino acids are naturally incorporated into polypeptides and are called proteinogenic or standard amino acids.

Aside from the twenty-two standard amino acids, there are also a vast number of "non-standard" amino acids.

Please see the following URL for full coverage of this question.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid

Sincere regards,
Mike Stewart

Yes, but only 20 that are commonly occurring in proteins.

Ron Baker, Ph.D.

Yes! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amino_acid

Burr


Click here to return to the Molecular Biology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory