An amido acid is a compound composed of both amine and carboxylic acid functional groups. It serves as the building block of proteins and plays a crucial role in their structural formation, along with other biochemical processes. Some synonyms for the term "amido acid" include: amino acid, peptide amino acid, proteinogenic amino acid, alpha amino acid, aminoalkanoic acid, and 2-amino acid. Amino acids are vital to the functioning of the human body. They aid in the creation of enzymes and hormones, aid in the transport of oxygen through the bloodstream, and are involved in the process of metabolism.