1. Tardigrade
  2. Question
  3. Biology
  4. Assertion: Amino acids are called α-amino acids. Reason: Amino acids are organic compounds containing an amino group and an acidic group as substituents on the α-carbon.

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Q. Assertion : Amino acids are called $\alpha$-amino acids.
Reason : Amino acids are organic compounds containing an amino group and an acidic group as substituents on the $\alpha$-carbon.

Biomolecules

Solution:

Amino acids are organic acids (with carboxylic group $— COOH)$ having amino group $(— NH_2)$ generally attached to $\alpha$-carbon or carbon next to the carboxylic group. Hence, they are called a-amino acids. The $\alpha$-carbon also bears a variable hydrocarbon or alkyl group $R$ and hydrogen. Amino acids are, therefore, substituted methanes where the four substituent groups occupy the four valency positions. These are hydrogen, carboxyl group, amino group and a variable group designated as $R$ group.