Question

How do you find $\mathrm{N}$ and $\mathrm{C}$ terminals?

Answer 1

The $\mathrm{N}$ and $\mathrm{C}$ terminal can be find from following ways:

1. In a molecule of peptide, amino acid residue on one end has an amine group on the alpha carbon which is called the $\mathrm{N}$-terminal of the peptide. The amino acid has a carboxylic acid group on alpha-carbon which is called $\mathrm{C}$-terminal.
2. Through convection when the structure of the peptide is drawn horizontally $\mathrm{N}$-terminal is placed on the left and $\mathrm{C}$-terminal on right.

Therefore, the above points clearly explains the determination of $\mathrm{C}$ and $\mathrm{N}$ terminals.