Alanine Micro Molecule

This is a framework molecular model kit of the Amino Acid Alanine.  This is part of our new line of MicroMolecules that are one half the scale of our regular framework molecular models at 0.5 inch per 1 Angstrom. The finished molecule literally fits in the palm of your hand.  No assembly required. Stay tuned for the release of all of the amino acids and other series soon to come.

 The L-isomer of alanine (left-handed) is the one that is incorporated into proteins. L-alanine is second only to leucine in rate of occurrence, accounting for 7.8% of the primary structure in a sample of 1,150 proteins.^[5] The right-handed form, D-alanine, occurs in polypeptides in some bacterial cell walls^[6]: 131and in some peptide antibiotics, and occurs in the tissues of many crustaceans and molluscs as an osmolyte.

Alanine is an aliphatic amino acid, because the side-chain connected to the α-carbon atom is a methylgroup (-CH₃); alanine is the simplest α-amino acid after glycine. The methyl side-chain of alanine is non-reactive and is therefore hardly ever directly involved in protein function.^[12] Alanine is a nonessential amino acid, meaning it can be manufactured by the human body, and does not need to be obtained through the diet. Alanine is found in a wide variety of foods, but is particularly concentrated in meats.

CAUTION: THESE MOLECULES CONTAIN MANY SMALL PARTS NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE.