BRAINCAKEZwitterions
In an amino acid the -COOH group is acidic and the -NH2 group is basic. Within one molecule, the carboxylic acid group can donate H+ to the amine group:
H2N-CHR-COOH → +H3N-CHR-COO−
The product is a zwitterion: a species with both a positive and a negative charge in the same molecule, but no overall charge.
Sign in free to see the rest of this lesson, the R.E.C.I.P.E. recall steps and the quiz
BrainCake is free. Make an account in seconds and pick up where this page stops.
More in Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA
- Amino Acids
- Acid-Base Properties of Amino Acids
- Peptide Links
- Hydrolysis of Proteins
- Primary Structure of Proteins
- Secondary Structure of Proteins
- Tertiary Structure of Proteins
- Enzymes and Stereospecific Active Sites
All 15 lessons in Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA · All AQA A-level Chemistry topics