This compound is formed from aspartate in the Hell–Volhard–Zelinsky halogenation or by the combination of acetaldehyde, ammonia, and cyanide. For 10 points each:
[10m] Name this amino acid with a methyl side chain.
ANSWER: alanine [or Ala; or A]
[10e] The biosynthesis of alanine can proceed via the reversible reductive amination of this compound by ALT. This three-carbon compound is the product of the dephosphorylation of PEP at the end of glycolysis.
ANSWER: pyruvate
[10h] The reaction of this alanine isomer and pyruvate produces malonate-semialdehyde and its standard isomer. Histidine and this alanine isomer are combined to synthesize carnosine.
ANSWER: beta-alanine
<Indiana A, Chemistry>