Fundamentals of Organic ChemistryChemistryBiomolecules
Which of the following properties is/are exhibited by an amino acid at its isoelectric point?
Options
- AMaximum surface tension
- BMinimum solubility
- CLeast viscosity
- DAll of these
Correct answer
D. All of these
Step-by-step solution
At the isoelectric point, an amino acid exists as a zwitterion with a net electrical charge of zero. Due to the absence of a net charge, the electrostatic repulsion between the amino acid molecules is minimized, leading to maximum intermolecular attraction. As a result of these strong intermolecular forces and lack of net charge, the amino acid exhibits the following properties at its isoelectric point: 1. Minimum solubility in water (molecules tend to aggregate rather than interact with the solvent). 2. Least visc