Could anyone tell me the difference between L-Glycine and Glycine?

[TexGuy23]

Please. Glycine vs. L-Glycine! What is the difference?

[DoctaBig]

scientific version:

The L stands for the prefix Levo which in the chemistry world means left. It's purpose is to correctly identify a specific enantiomer for a specific compound. More specifically the L enantiomer rotatates plain polarized light 90 degrees to the left. Enantiomer's are different steriochemical arrangments of the exact same molecule.

layman version.

Basially...a chemical structure is a three dimentional object which has a specific set of components ie oxygen, nitrogen, carbon. These components are arranged in a specific pattern on a three dimentional plane. Swaping two components results in the same composition but a different arrangement. (there's a lil more to it than that but that should get you started) These different arrangments are called enantiomers...dubed L and R. If you look some compounds are sold as R such as alpha lipoic acid.

Why?

Receptor sites and reactions take place like sort of like a lock and key work. If you have a perfect key your door will unlock very smoothly and easily and fast; if you have a old rounded off misshapen key you MAY get it to work but its gonna take some time. That is the difference between the enantiomers.

[TexGuy23]

scientific version:

The L stands for the prefix Levo which in the chemistry world means left. It's purpose is to correctly identify a specific enantiomer for a specific compound. More specifically the L enantiomer rotatates plain polarized light 90 degrees to the left. Enantiomer's are different steriochemical arrangments of the exact same molecule.

layman version.

Basially...a chemical structure is a three dimentional object which has a specific set of components ie oxygen, nitrogen, carbon. These components are arranged in a specific pattern on a three dimentional plane. Swaping two components results in the same composition but a different arrangement. (there's a lil more to it than that but that should get you started) These different arrangments are called enantiomers...dubed L and R. If you look some compounds are sold as R such as alpha lipoic acid.

Why?

Receptor sites and reactions take place like sort of like a lock and key work. If you have a perfect key your door will unlock very smoothly and easily and fast; if you have a old rounded off misshapen key you MAY get it to work but its gonna take some time. That is the difference between the enantiomers.

Thank you so much. But do both compounds have the same effect on the body?

[DoctaBig]

yep but the L will probably work better...

ever heard of claritin or clarinex???? or albuterol and xopenex. both are enantiomers of the parernts racemic mixture and work profoundly better, i'm not sure if such is the case w/ the amino acid glycine, but you never know. dont pay too much extra for it