For example, for the three amino acids Lysine, Histidine and Arginine in the “positively charged side chain” group I made up, LArHis (Larhis) rhymes with Lorries.Ĭouple of other oustanding features I found helpful were that the polar uncharged side chain containing Asparagine and Glutamine were amide versions of the negatively charged amino acids: Aspartate and Glutamate repectively. Only those groups of amino acids that had very subtle differences in their structures to the eye need help. For ones that do have such features, it was easy to remember. In trying to remember the names and structure it was always helpful to observe any unusual or outstanding features of the molecule.
So I picture the programs mascot, Wilber glowing with lava/fire! Those of you that use Linux, will know that GIMP is a famous photo editing cum drawing program. Another way I remember this is swapping the first letters of the GAVa and LIMP to give LAVa-GIMP. Thing is, the structures of the amino acids increase in complexity as you go from Glycine to Proline with Glycine having a hydrogen atom for the “R”- group while Proline has a sort of “penta-cyclic” side chain. For pronounciations sake it could be like: I’m going to mention things I found helpful for me here.įor those amino acids having non-polar aliphatic side chains, it was suggested that GAVLIMP as a good acronymn. I found an excellent article here relating the structures of all the amino acids with easy ways to remember them. I was searching around for some good Mnemonics or acronyms or anything I could find to remember the 20 essential amino acids names and structures.