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Multiple Choice
Which of the following functional groups is present in all amino acids?
A
Carboxyl group
B
Aldehyde group
C
Ketone group
D
Ether group
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding what an amino acid is: Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They contain two key functional groups: an amino group and a carboxyl group.
Identify the functional groups listed in the problem: Aldehyde group, Ketone group, Ether group, and Carboxyl group.
Recall the structure of a typical amino acid: It has a central carbon atom (the alpha carbon) bonded to an amino group (NH₂), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable R group or side chain.
Focus on the carboxyl group: The carboxyl group is a functional group characterized by a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (OH). It is represented as \( \text{COOH} \).
Conclude that the carboxyl group is present in all amino acids, as it is one of the defining features of their structure, along with the amino group.