Skip to main content
Back

Amino Acid One Letter Code definitions

Control buttons has been changed to "navigation" mode.
1/15
  • Phonetic Origin
    Refers to one letter codes derived from the sound of the amino acid's name, making them harder to memorize.
  • Mnemonic
    A memory aid, such as 'nerdy WQF', used to help recall the 8 amino acids with phonetic one letter codes.
  • One Letter Code
    A single alphabet character assigned to each amino acid, used for concise protein sequence notation.
  • Three Letter Code
    A short abbreviation for amino acids, easier to memorize than the one letter codes due to fewer phonetic exceptions.
  • Unique First Letter
    A characteristic where an amino acid's initial letter is not shared with any other, allowing it to be its one letter code.
  • Green Group
    A category of amino acids whose one letter codes are their unique first letters, simplifying memorization.
  • Light Blue Group
    A set of amino acids sharing first letters, where the more common amino acid receives the one letter code.
  • Yellow Group
    A group containing lysine, which is assigned the letter K as its one letter code, being an exception.
  • Amino Acid Abbreviation
    A shortened representation of an amino acid, either as a one letter or three letter code.
  • Protein Sequence
    A chain of amino acids represented by their one letter codes, used in bioinformatics and molecular biology.
  • Lysine
    The only amino acid assigned the letter K for its one letter code, due to L being taken by leucine.
  • Leucine
    An amino acid prioritized for the letter L in one letter codes, as it is more common in proteins than lysine.
  • Glutamine
    An amino acid with a phonetic one letter code Q, derived from the sound in its name.
  • Tryptophan
    An amino acid with a phonetic one letter code W, inspired by the way its name sounds.
  • Phenylalanine
    An amino acid with a phonetic one letter code F, reflecting the 'ph' sound in its name.