Phenylalanine
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Amino Acids
- Serine
- Asparagine
- Alanine
- Valine
- Leucine
- Isoleucine
- Phenylalanine
- Tryptophan
- Methionine
- Proline
- Glycine
- Threonine
- Cysteine
- Tyrosine
- Glutamine
- Aspartate
- Glutamate
- Histidine
- Lysine
- Arginine
Summary
Phenylalanine, which abbreviates to the 3-letter Phe or the single letter F, is one of the 20 amino acids used to build proteins in our body. Phenylalanine’s R-group is a benzyl group: that is, an aromatic benzene ring connected by a single bridging carbon. Because of this non-polar R-group, phenylalanine is also a non-polar, hydrophobic amino acid, with a neutral charge at physiological pH.
Key Points
- Phenylalanine
- Abbreviations
- Phe, F
- Chemical Structure
- R-Group: -CH2-benzene
- Aromatic benzene ring
- Aromatic compounds absorb UV light
- No hydroxyl group (contrast vs. Tyrosine)
- Aromatic benzene ring
- Polarity
- Non-polar (lipid soluble/hydrophobic)
- Charge at pH 7
- Neutral (0)
- Abbreviations
