Chirality in Amino Acids
Most amino acids, except glycine, are chiral, meaning they exist in two enantiomeric forms that are mirror images of each other. The 'L' and 'D' designations refer to the orientation of the amino group in relation to the carboxyl group. L-phenylalanine, specifically, is the naturally occurring form used in proteins, and recognizing chirality is crucial for accurately representing its three-dimensional structure.