Biological compounds question

[1mcataway]

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Hi, I am new to the form. I am glad I found this site. This seems to be a great site for pre-med!!

I had one question on the bio section of the mcat

I know that many biological compounds (like amino acids) could potentially exist as more than one stereoisomer, but only one steric form is used for a given function. It seems that there needs to be one steric form of the compound for live to exist but why is that?

 

[PiBond]

The active site for enzymes that catalyze biological reactions is generally highly specific in its substrate recognition, including stereospecificity. We only see L-amino acids and D-sugars in animals and this is important on the MCAT

Just how things came to be, I guess...

 

[loveoforganic]

One of the great mysteries of life.