Although amino acids have "acid" in their name, some are acidic in water solutions, some are basic, and others are neutral. Propose an explanation for this observation based on the structures and descriptions of the amino acids below.

Respuesta :

Amino acids are organic compounds containing amine (-NH2) and carboxyl (-COOH) functional units. They have a side chain and this side chain determines if an amino acid is basic or neutral. The acidic ones have acidic side chain and the basic ones have a basic side chain at neutral pH.

Arginine, lysine, and histidine are the basic ones. Aspartate and glutamate are the acidic ones. Glutamic acid is the one shown in the figure. Acidic amino acid have more Carboxyl group than amino group . Basic amino acids like lysine (shown in the figure in your question) have side chains that resemble ammonia which is basic.