Question

What is amino acid ? Write its general formula.

Answer 1

Amino acids are organic compounds containing amine and carboxyl functional groups, along with a side chain specific to each amino acid. The key elements of an amino acid are carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen, although other elements are found in the side chains of certain amino acids. 



Chemically speaking, an amino acid is a carboxylic acid which has an amine group attached to it. The general linear formula of an amino acid is R-CH(NH2)-COOH.

Answer 2

Amino acid is a simple organic compound containing botha a carboxyl (-COOH) and an amino (-NH2) group.