Duluth Labs Molecule of the Week (MOTW)

• I am a molecule that makes up your DNA

• I belong to a class of nucleotide bases known as Purines

• I pair up with T during DNA replication, and U during RNA synthesis

___ D ___ N ___ N ___

• I have two carboxylic acid groups at each end of my chain

• My derivative is MSG – which is used as a food seasoning

• I am also an excitatory neurotransmitter

___ ___ U ___ ___ ___ I C    A ___ ___ D

• I am an essential amino acid that contains an indole ring.

• I am the parent molecule of Serotonin and Melatonin.

• I am used to make an important B vitamin called Niacin.

So What Molecule Is It? 

 T ___ Y ___ T ___ ___ ___ A ___

• I am a semi-essential amino acid that promotes blood flow to organs – especially working muscles.

• I have an epsilon guanidine group as a side chain.

• I am one of those three known basic amino acids which bears R as a single letter code.

       _ _ G _ N _ _ E

• I am a non-essential amino acid that is formed after metabolism of phenylalanine

• I am the precursor molecule of dopamine – as well as noradrenaline and adrenaline

• I am also the amino acid involved in the first step of melanin production – hence, if you don’t get enough of me, you may also suffer from albinism

     ___Y ___ O ___ ___ ___ E