Is there a mnemonic for all 20 amino acids?

Question

Is there a mnemonic for all 20 amino acids?

Answer 1

The way I remember them is to memorise the one-letter codes for all of them (e.g. G=glycine, C=cystine). This is easier than it sounds, because most of them just use the first letter of the amino acid. Then I run through the alphabet and give the amino acid that corresponds with each letter. The ones that don't use the first letter of the amino acid name are:

D = aspartic acid. Think 'asparDic acid'

E = glutamic acid. Think 'glutEmic' acid' (and it comes after aspartic acid)

F = phenylalanine ('Fenylalanine')

K = lysine (the odd one out)

N = asparagine (I think of the 3-letter code asN)

Q = glutamine. Think 'Q-tamine'

R = arginine. Think 'R-ginine'

W = trytophan. Think 'tWypophan'.

Y = tyrosine. Think 'tYrosine.