Question

Choose the correct answer from the alternatives given.
The enormous diversity of protein molecules is mostly due to the diversity of:

• A. Amino groups on the amino acids
• B. K groups on the amino acids
• C. R groups on the amino acids
• D. Peptide bonds

Answer 1

The correct option is C R groups on the amino acids

There are 20 amino acids known. All the amino acids follow the basic structure. It consists of a carbon atom in the middle surrounded by three chemical bases.

Two out of three bases are the amino (NH${}_2$ group) and the carboxylic group (COOH). The third group is a simple hydrogen atom present in all the amino acids.

The fourth group is called an R group that determines the nature of the amino acid. This R group can be as simple as a hydrogen atom and may also contain complex rings. On the basis of the R group, the amino acid can be polar or non-polar, acidic or basic or neutral.

Thus the enormous diversity of protein molecules is mostly due to the diversity in the R group.

So, the correct option is 'R groups on the amino acids'.