Write the molecular formula of glycine, an amino acid present in proteins. The color codes are: black (carbon), blue (nitrogen), red (oxygen), and gray (hydrogen).

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, playing a vital role in virtually all biological processes. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom referred to as the alpha carbon, an amino group ( NH_2), a carboxylic group ( COOH), a unique side chain (that determines the type of amino acid), and a hydrogen atom. There are twenty standard amino acids that form the proteins in all living beings; glycine is one of them. It is known for being the simplest amino acid and lacks a complex side chain, consisting only of a hydrogen atom, hence often represented as ( H).

Understanding the molecular structure of amino acids like glycine is foundational in biochemistry and helps in comprehending protein structure, synthesis, and function. Proteins are chains of amino acids linked by peptide bonds, and their shape and function are determined by the specific sequence of amino acids they contain.

The molecular composition of a substance refers to the elements it is made of and the number of atoms of each element in one molecule of the substance. In the context of organic compounds such as glycine, recognizing the molecular composition is crucial as it determines the compound's properties and behavior in biological systems.

Glycine's composition includes carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen atoms. As the most straightforward amino acid, its molecular structure provides a prime example of how simple compositions can be integral to complex biological mechanisms. Glycine, due to its molecular composition, can fit into tight spaces within proteins which other amino acids cannot, influencing both structure and function of proteins.

Chemical notation is a standardized way of representing elements and compounds. It is essential for succinctly conveying detailed information about the molecular composition of a compound, enabling scientists and students alike to quickly understand the substance's makeup.

Using the Periodic Table of Elements, each element is assigned a unique one- or two-letter symbol (e.g., C for carbon). The molecular formula for a compound, like glycine, uses these symbols alongside subscripts to indicate the number of atoms of each element present in a single molecule. For example, in the molecular formula for glycine, C_2H_5NO_2, each subscript tells us how many atoms of that specific element are included. No subscript is needed when there is only one atom of an element, such as the nitrogen (N) in glycine. This concise notation is a universally understood language in chemistry that facilitates communication and learning across different fields of study.