Question

Which two functional groups are always found in Amino Acids?

Answer 1

1. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.
2. All amino acids contain an amino functional group ($-{\mathrm{NH}}_2$) and a carboxyl functional group ($-\mathrm{COOH}$).
3. The amino functional group has a Lewis Base nature owing to the lone pair of electrons on the Nitrogen atom while the carboxyl functional group has a Lewis Acid nature due to the Hydrogen on it which can get removed as a proton (${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$).
4. The general structural formula of an amino acid is shown here

The $-\mathrm{R}$ represents a side chain. Different side chains lead to different amino acids.