Significance of the R group in an amino acid

What is the significance of the –R group (that is, variable radical) in an amino acid molecule?

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The –R group, also termed as lateral chain, is the variable portion of the amino acid molecule. The –R group can be a complicated carbonic chain, a replacing methyl group (making then the amino acid alkaline) or even just a hydrogen (making glycine, the simplest amino acid). Therefore the –R group is significant as it is the differentiation factor of the amino acids.

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