Question

Comment on the Acidic and Basic nature of Amino Acids.

Answer 1

• Amino acids are organic compounds containing the basic amino groups$(-{\mathrm{NH}}_2)$ and carboxyl groups $(-\mathrm{COOH})$.

• Since amino acids contain both amino and carboxylic groups, so when they are placed in an aqueous solution, amino acid exists as a dipolar ion (or as a zwitter ion).
• A zwitterion can act as either an acid (which is a proton donor) or a base (which is a proton acceptor).
• The substances that are having both an acidic and basic nature are amphoteric and are called, ampholytes meaning “amphoteric electrolytes".