Role of amino acids in cells

The role of amino acids in cells is very essential. But before we find out why, let us first get a brief idea of what an amino acid is.
 
In short, amino acids are the actual molecular units which make up proteins. Proteins are the different composition of twenty naturally occurring amino acids. 
 
Another way of looking at it is like this; an amino acid is any molecule which has both amino as well as carboxylic acid functional groups.
 
What makes amino acids so important is because of their important function in actually building cells as well as repairing tissue. Not only that! This nutrient is also important in combating invading bacteria and viruses.
 
Without amino acids, our cells would not have any nutrients to grow!
 

That's right!
 
It is essential that cells have to absorb nutrients in order to grow. And all this time you thought they just grow all by themselves right :-). On top of this, it is important to know that the human cells do not have the capacity to make all amino acids.

Important amino acids such as histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, theronine, tryptophan, and valine are not possible to be synthesized by your body. They therefore have to be taken from a different diet.
 
Wow, quite a lot to digest ;-). Tell you what, let's change the subject slightly and see in what other roles the amino acids can play in.
 
Amino acids are also used for some of the following:
 
They are used in artificial sweeteners (aspartyl-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester), 5-hydroxytryptophanis used to treat neurological problems that are associated with PKU. Depression can be treated with phenylketonuria, and a great way to enhance flavour would be to use monosodium glutamate as a food additive.
 
I am sure you would agree on just how important these little molecular units are in our every day lives. Remember it always, and....appreciate it! ;-)