amino acids Flashcards
what is the general formula for amino acids
H2NCH (R) COOH
why can an amine group be described as weakly basic
so can accept a proton as N has a lone pair
What 2 types of reaction can amino acids undergo
acid reactions
base reactions
what pH do amino acids act as a base
amino acids act as a base in acidic conditions
what pH do amino acids act as an acid
amino acids act as an acid in alkaline conditions
when an amino acid acts as an acid what occurs
the carboxylic group has a tendency to lose a proton
what happens when an amino acid acts as a base
the amine group has a tendency to accept a proton
define zwitterion
a dipolar ionic form of an amino acid that is formed by the donation of a H+ ion from the carbonyl group to the amino group
as both charges are present there is no overall charge
what is the name of the point at which amino acids exist as zwitterions
isoelectric point
what is the isoelectric point normally for an amino acid
around 6.0
what type of bonds can zwitterions make and what 2 properties do these bonds result in
zwitterions can make ionic bonds
form solids at room temperature that are very soluble in water
what can zwitterions behave as
buffers
what chemical property do amino acids have which say they can act as acids or bases
amino acids are amphoteric so can act as acids or bases
if the pH is higher than the isoelectric point (6.5) what will the amino acid act as
amino acid acts as an acid as pH is alkaline
if the pH is lower than the isoelectric point (6.5) what will the amino acid act as
amino acid acts as a base as pH is acidic
