Step-by-step solution
Amino acids are organic compounds containing an amino group and an acidic group as substituents on the same carbon, i.e., the -carbon. Therefore, they are considered substituted methanes. Statement A is correct. Serine contains a hydroxymethyl group ( -CH _2 OH ) as its side chain and is an aliphatic amino acid, not an aromatic one. Aromatic amino acids include phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. Statement B is incorrect. Valine contains one amino group and one carboxyl group, making it a neutral amino acid. Statement C is correct. Lysine contains two amino groups and one carboxyl group, making it a basic amino acid, not an acidic one. Acidic amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Statement D is incorrect. Thus, only statements A and C are correct. Answer: A and C only