NEET
- Exam
- NEET
- Subject
- Chemistry
- Chapter
- Biomolecules
NEET · Chemistry · Biomolecules
Why are most naturally occurring amino acids optically active?
Why are most naturally occurring amino acids optically active?
Options
- ABecause they have an asymmetric α-carbon atom
- BBecause they have a symmetric α-carbon atom
- CBecause they have a chiral side chain
- DBecause they have a non-chiral side chain
Correct answer
A. Because they have an asymmetric α-carbon atom
Step-by-step solution
The most naturally occurring amino acids are optically active because they have an asymmetric α-carbon atom, which means it has four different substituents, making it chiral.