Amino acids are generally represented by both three-letter and one-letter symbols. Examples mentioned in the paragraph include glycine, tyrosine, and others, each with their corresponding structures and symbols.
How are amino acids represented, and what are the structures, 3-letter symbols, and 1-letter symbols of some commonly occurring amino acids mentioned in the paragraph?
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Amino acids are commonly represented by their structural formula, 3-letter symbol, and 1-letter symbol. For example, glycine, with a simple hydrogen side chain, has the structural formula H₂N-CH₂-COOH. Its 3-letter symbol is “Gly,” and the 1-letter symbol is “G.” Tyrosine, with an aromatic phenolic side chain, is represented as HO₂C-CH(NH₂)-C₆H₄-OH. Its 3-letter symbol is “Tyr,” and the 1-letter symbol is “Y.” Leucine, with a hydrophobic isobutyl side chain, is represented as H₂N-CH(CH₃)-CH₂-CH(CH₃)-COOH. Its 3-letter symbol is “Leu,” and the 1-letter symbol is “L.” These representations convey both structure and nomenclature of amino acids.