Question

Summarize the types of reactions required to synthesize the nonessential amino acids.

Short answer

The major types of reactions required to synthesize the nonessential amino acids are: transamination reaction, glutamine synthetase reaction, aspartate amidation by asparagine synthetase.

Step-by-step solution

Transamination reaction 

Alanine synthesis is a complete transamination reaction.

Serine is synthesized from 3-phophoglycerate and a step of transamination is involved.

Glutamine synthetase reaction  

Glutamate is synthesized from α-ketoglutarate through transamination, which is then followed by a glutamine synthetase reaction for the synthesis of glutamine.

Aspartate amidation

Aspartate synthesis occurs through a transamination reaction followed by aspartate amidation with the help of the enzyme asparagine synthetase, which forms asparagine.