amino acids Flashcards
1
Q
what are amino acids?
A
organic compounds containing two functional groups
- NH2 and COOH
2
Q
why are amino acids amphoteric
A
- presence of both a basic and acidic group
3
Q
what special about naturally occuring amino acids?
A
- amine group is bonded to the carbon next to the COOH group
4
Q
what is a zwitter ion?
A
- an ion with both a positive and negative charge
5
Q
why are there strong intermolecular forces of attraction between amino acids?
A
- because of the charges in a zwitterion
6
Q
what happens if an acid is added to a zwitterion?
A
- COO- accepts a H* ion to reform the COOH group
- zwitter ion becomes positively charged ion
- ph lowered
7
Q
what happens if you add a base to a zwitterion?
A
- NH3+ will donate a H+ ion to reform the NH2 group
- zwitterion becomes negatively charged
- ph raised
8
Q
what is isoelectricpoint
A
the point at which neither the positive or negative charge is dominant
