Chapter 14.2, Problem 3MI

Summary Introduction

To define:

The term ‘amino acid’.

Introduction:

Biomolecule, additionally called natural particle or any substances that are created by cells and living life forms.

Explanation of Solution

Amino acids are a group of organic compounds containing two functional group, that is amino and carboxyl. The amino group (-NH₂) is basic in nature while the carboxyl group (-COOH) is acidic in nature.

The amino acids are termed as alpha- amino acids, if both the carboxyl and amino groups are attached to the same carbon.

Example: Glycine, serine, etc.

Proteins are the polymers of L-alpha-amino acids and the amino acids are held together in a protein by covalent peptide bonds.