Plants and many bacteria and other microorganisms make
phenylalanine from a molecule called prephenate. Phenylpyruvate is produced when the
carboxyl group is removed. In a series of a few more reactions pathways involving
glutamate, phenylalanine is produced along with
α-ketoglutarate.
Relating the details of a biochemical
pathway as above is best done with a diagram and the second link below shows the
pathways, plus a little more informaton about alternate molecules which can be
synthesized.
One important fact to relate is that most
animals can’t produce this amino acid and it is considered one of the essential amino
acids. The fact that we need to get this from our diet is another way we are
interdependent on plants for our very existence.
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