You will need to download and install a Java plug-in in order to view this applet. Download Sun's Java plug-in from here.

Click and drag your mouse inside the applet above to rotate the molecule in 3-D. Applet instructions...

Switch to another visualization applet:

	miniJaMM	open in new window...
	JaMM1
	JaMM2

Tryptophan

Tryptophan is an essential, hydrophobic amino acid.

Chemical Formula: C₁₁H₁₂N₂O₂

Other names: 2-Amino-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-propionic acid

Layman's explanation: Tryptophan is highly important as it is the metabolic precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is well-known for the psychological effects resulting from an imbalance of this neuroactive chemical. Food sources of tryptophan are dairy products, beef, poultry, barley, brown rice, fish, soybeans, and peanuts. Urban legends link the intake of tryptophan in turkey an increased desire to sleep, hence the inclination to nap after Thanksgiving turkey eating. Although highly necessary, tryptophan is only obtained in about 1 to1.5 grams in a normal diet. Luckily, smaller amounts of tryptophan are more well-accepted by the body than larger amounts (6-9 g). A deficiency of tryptophan can cause aggressive behavior. Shown in the applet is the cationic part of L-tryptophan hydrochloride, (C11H13N2O2)+.

Keywords: serotonin, niacin, sleep

Crystallographic details...
More visualization options...
See other versions...

Reciprocal Net site software 0.9.1-50, copyright (c) 2002-2009, The Trustees of Indiana University
Files and data presented via this software are property of their respective owners.
Reciprocal Net is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation as part of the National Science Digital Library project.