Question #c7157
1 Answer
Jun 20, 2017
Naturally occurring amino acids have 3 simple components; Amino group, tetrahedral carbon (alpha carbon), and a carboxylic carbon. The thing that makes them different is the group attached to the tetrahedral carbon.
Explanation:
Each amino acid is different due to the group attached to the alpha carbon. In general, there are 3 types of groups attached to the alpha carbon (R-groups): Hydrophobic, Polar (non Ionic), and Ionic. Hydrophobic R groups include things like Valine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanie. Polar R groups include things like Asparigine, Serine, Tyrosine. Ionic groups include things like Aspartic Acid, Lysine, and Argenine.
