Question

1. 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. acidic amino acid neutral amino acids basic amino acid

Explanation:

Amino - acids have both an amino group ($-NH_2$) and a carboxyl group ($-COOH$). Acidic amino - acids have an additional carboxyl group in their side - chain which can release a proton ($H^+$) in water, making the solution acidic. Basic amino - acids have an additional amino - like group in their side - chain which can accept a proton in water, making the solution basic. Neutral amino - acids have side - chains that do not significantly affect the pH in water as they do not readily donate or accept protons.

Answer:

The acidity or basicity of amino - acids in water is determined by the functional groups in their side - chains. Acidic amino - acids have extra carboxyl groups in side - chains, basic amino - acids have extra amino - like groups in side - chains, and neutral amino - acids have side - chains that do not affect pH significantly.