Question

The ‘amphoteric’ nature of amino acid is because –

• A. α–carbon atom bears an amino group and an acidic group
• B. Chemical activity of amino acids is unproductive
• C. The ‘H’ group present on the C-atom, inhibits the reactivity
• D. The ‘H’ group present on the C-atom, accelerates the reactivity

Answer 1

The correct option is A α–carbon atom bears an amino group and an acidic group

Word 'Amphi' means both. An amphoteric compound is a molecule that can react with both base and acid. Therefore, amphoteric nature of amino acid is because α carbon atom bears an amino group and an acidic group.
So, the correct answer is option 'a'.