Amino acids may be acidic, alkaline or neutral. How does this happen? What are essential and non-essential amino acids? Name one of each type.
Solution
An amino acid's nature is set by its side groups:
equal numbers of –NH and –COOH → \textbf{neutral} (glycine);
an extra –COOH → \textbf{acidic} (aspartic, glutamic acid);
an extra –NH → \textbf{basic} (lysine).
\textbf{Essential} (diet only): valine. \textbf{Non-essential} (synthesised in body): glycine.
equal numbers of –NH and –COOH → \textbf{neutral} (glycine);
an extra –COOH → \textbf{acidic} (aspartic, glutamic acid);
an extra –NH → \textbf{basic} (lysine).
\textbf{Essential} (diet only): valine. \textbf{Non-essential} (synthesised in body): glycine.
CBSE Class 12 Board · 2010 · All India · Subjective