A particular property of amino acids is the ionizable nature of -NH2 and -COOH groups. In solutions of different pHs, the structure of amino acids changes. The form with both positive and negative charges is called:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: Zwitterion (dual charge)
The zwitterionic form occurs when the amino acid carries both a positive charge (on -NH3⁺) and a negative charge (on -COO⁻), resulting in a net neutral charge. This form predominates near the amino acid's isoelectric point.
Keep practicing
More Proteins: Structure and Functions questions
- Which of the following functions is NOT typically performed by proteins?
- If a protein consists of more than one polypeptide chain, the arrangement of these subunits with respect to each other is known as:
- Which of the following is an acidic amino acid?
- In the alpha-helix secondary structure, the polypeptide chain is coiled in which direction?
- The simplest amino acid, where the R-group is represented by a hydrogen atom, is:
- Which of the following proteins acts as an intercellular ground substance?