Alpha Amino Acidsbr Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.br br The structure of the alpha amino acid that we need to know in A Level Chemistry is as shown:br br alpha amino acid general structurebr br We can remember the structure of alpha amino acid by these 3 positions:br br 1. amine group -NH2br br 2. alpha carbon with a R groupbr br 3. acid group -COOHbr br Different amino acids have the same basic structure and only differ in the R group.br br Hence it is important for us to identify the R group so that we can identify the amino acid.br br Primary Structure of Proteinsbr The unique sequence of amino acids linked via peptide bonds to form a polypeptide chain will give the primary structure of proteins.br br The structure of proteins is also in a standard format which is very similar to that of the amino acid:br br amino acid protein general structurebr br So if we have a tripeptide -Asp-Ser-Val- to draw, we simply duplicate the structure 3 times and substitute each R group with the R group of the respective amino acid.br br tripeptide Asp-Ser-Valbr br Learn how to draw alpha amino acids and primary structure of proteins in this video lesson!br br Topic: Nitrogen Compounds, Organic Chemistry, JC, H2, A Level Chemistry, Singaporebr br You can also view this video lesson with screenshots and detailed explanation at br Do check out the following for more video lessons:br Organic Chemistry Videos at A Level Chemistry Videos at br If you are looking for H2 Chemistry Tuition, do consider taking up my classes at Bishan.