Question

(30 points!)

Answer 1

Answer:

an amino group, carboxyl group, hydrogen atom, and a side chain bonded to the central carbon atom  

Explanation:

An amino acid essentially comprises amino group (-NH₂), carboxyl group (-COOH), hydrogen atom (-H), and a side chain (represented by R) which are attached to a central carbon atom. The central carbon atom to which all of them are attached is known as alpha carbon (α carbon). The bonds that -NH₂ and -COOH make with α carbon are known as phi (Ф) and psi (Ψ) bonds respectively.

The structure of a typical amino acid is depicted as under:

          H

            |          

H₂N  -  C  -  COOH

            |

           R

The position of -NH₂ and -COOH decide whether it is a L amino acid or R amino acid.

Answer 2

Answer: C. An amino group, carboxyl group and a side chain bonded to the central carbon atom.

Explanation: The amino acid structure consists of amino group, a carboxyl group (Acid group) and a side chain. These three groups are bonded to a central carbon atom.