Acidity and basicity in amino acids

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Amino acids exhibit unique acid-base behavior due to their zwitterionic nature in water, where they contain both acidic and basic functional groups. The acidic group is identified as the NH3+ (protonated amine), while the basic group is the COO- (deprotonated carboxylate). This distinction arises because the acidic component donates protons, while the basic component accepts them. The discussion also touches on the importance of side groups in determining the overall acidity and basicity of specific amino acids. Understanding these concepts is crucial for grasping the chemistry of amino acids.
Rujano
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Hello! I'm having a hard time understanding the acidity and basicity of amino acids.

I read this: the acidic group in an amino acid is NOT the -COOH but the NH3+ and the basic group is COO- and not the NH2... why?

Thanks in advance!
 
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Just revise about "conjugate acids and bases" e.g.

http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Physical_Chemistry/Acids_and_Bases/Conjugate_Acids-base_Pairs#Conjugate_Acid-Base_Pairs

"The conjugate acid of a base is formed when the base gains a proton" etc.
 
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The proper term for 'basicity' is 'alkalinity'.
 
Rujano said:
Hello! I'm having a hard time understanding the acidity and basicity of amino acids.

I read this: the acidic group in an amino acid is NOT the -COOH but the NH3+ and the basic group is COO- and not the NH2... why?

Thanks in advance!

Individual amino acids exist as zwitterions in plain water. Therefore, the acid part will be the group with the protons and the base will be the group capable of accepting a proton. You haven't asked about the side groups yet. That's where it gets interesting.
 

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