Question detail
What functional groups are present in amino acids?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Amino acids, proteins and DNA (A-level only)
Question
What functional groups are present in amino acids?
Answer
Amino acids contain both an amine group (-NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (-COOH).
Explanation
This answer is strong because it accurately identifies the two key functional groups that define amino acids, which is essential for understanding their chemical properties and biological functions. The question tests the recall of basic organic chemistry concepts related to amino acids.
Common mistake
Confusing Functional Groups
Students often describe amino acids without clearly identifying the presence of both amine (-NH2) and carboxylic acid (-COOH) functional groups.
To fix this, remember that an amino acid contains both an amine group and a carboxylic acid group. For example, the general structure of an amino acid can be represented as R-CH(NH2)-COOH, where R represents the variable side chain. Clearly state both functional groups when describing amino acids.
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