Structure and Reactions of Amino Acids
Structure and Reactions of Amino Acids
An α\alphaα-amino acid is a bifunctional compound containing both a basic amine group (-NH2\text{-NH}_2-NH2) and an acidic carboxylic acid group (-COOH\text{-COOH}-COOH) attached to the same central carbon atom (the α\alphaα-carbon).
Because they possess both acidic and basic functional groups within a single molecule, amino acids are amphoteric and can undergo reactions characteristic of both groups.