Each of the 20 amino acids has a specific side chain, known as an R group, that is also attached to the α carbon. The R groups have a variety of shapes, sizes, charges, and reactivities.

Strecker synthesis is one of several means of producing α-amino acids. α-amino acids are molecules, which contain an amine and carboxylic group that are separated by a single carbon (the α-carbon).

All 20 amino acids were found to differently affect TORC1 using two 'pathways': Pib2 and Gtr. A pathway can be thought of as a specific chain reaction that leads to certain outcomes in a cell.