Question

If amino acids could be produced by random chemical processes: They would probably be all L stereoisomers. They would probably be all D stereoisomers. They would probably be equal L and D stereoisomers

Answer 1

Answer:

They would probably be equal L and D stereoisomers

Explanation:

All amino acid (except glycine) can occur in two isomeric forms called L- and D- forms, because of the possibility of forming two different enantiomers around the central carbon atom known as the chiral center. The two enantiomers, have identical physical and chemical properties, but their interactions with other chiral molecules may vary.

A carbon chiral center occcurs when the carbon is bonded to four different substituents. Glycine, has no enantiomers because it has two hydrogen atoms attached to the central carbon atom.

When a compounds with chiral centers are synthesized in the laboratory randomly (in the absence of a directing template) left and right-handed molecules ( corresponding to L- and D- forms) of a compound will form in equal amounts known as a racemic mixture. This was the case when Louis Pasteur in 1848, investigated the crystalline sediment that accumulated in wine casks called paratartaric acid or racemic acid, a form of tartaric acid.