Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which of the following functional groups is present in all amino acids?
A
Carboxyl group
B
Phosphate group
C
Carbonyl group
D
Hydroxyl group
Verified step by step guidance
1
Begin by understanding the structure of amino acids. Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid has a central carbon atom, known as the alpha carbon, to which four different groups are attached.
Identify the four groups attached to the alpha carbon in amino acids. These groups are: an amino group (\(\)), a carboxyl group (\(\)), a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines the identity of the amino acid.
Focus on the carboxyl group, which is a functional group characterized by a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (\(\)). This group is present in all amino acids.
Compare the carboxyl group with the other options provided: phosphate group, carbonyl group, and hydroxyl group. Note that while the hydroxyl group is part of the carboxyl group, the carboxyl group itself is distinct and universally present in amino acids.
Conclude that the carboxyl group is the functional group present in all amino acids, as it is a defining feature of their structure, allowing them to participate in peptide bond formation during protein synthesis.