Tag: Non proteinogenic amino acid

While often confused with the standard protein-building blocks, ornithine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid that plays no direct part in synthesizing proteins. Its significant role lies in other critical metabolic pathways, most notably the urea cycle, which manages nitrogen waste in the body.

First isolated from ox bile in 1827, taurine is a naturally occurring organic compound found abundantly in animal tissues. Despite often being referred to as an amino acid, its distinct chemical structure classifies it more specifically. This guide will explore what type of acid taurine is and how its chemical properties influence its biological roles.