Question

Glycine and Alanine are different with respect to one substituent on the $\alpha$-carbon. What are the other common substituent groups?

Answer 1

Amino acids

• Amino acids are organic compounds having an amino group -$N{H}_2$ and a carboxylic group (-COOH) attached to the same carbon, i.e., the alpha carbon.
• Alpha carbon, H, $N{H}_2$ and COOH groups are the same in all amino acids. However, 'R' group is variable.

Similarity in glycine and alanine

The similar groups attached to $\alpha$-carbon in glycine and alanine are:

• H
• $N{H}_2$ group
• COOH group

Final answer

H, -$N{H}_2$ group, -COOH group