NTA Abhyas NEET2020ChemistryBiomoleculesPractice
Why are amino acids also called α -amino acids?
Options
- AThey have α-carbon with amino and acid group.
- BThey are rotated clockwise.
- CThey are rotated anti-clockwise.
- DThey rotate the plane of polarized light to the right.
Correct answer
A. They have α-carbon with amino and acid group.
Step-by-step solution
The amino acids which form the basic units in protein synthesis have the amino ― N H 2 group and carboxyl ― C O O H group attached to the α-carbon atom. Hence, amino acids are referred to as α-amino acids.