An -NH2 group and a -COOH group are characteristic of which molecular type?

An -NH2 group and a -COOH group are characteristic of which molecular type?

• A. Fatty acid
• B. Amino acid
• C. Monosaccharide
• D. Ketoacid

Answer: (B)

The presence of an -NH2 group (amino group) and a -COOH group (carboxyl group) is characteristic of an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and contain both functional groups: the amino group is responsible for the basic properties of amino acids, while the carboxyl group is responsible for their acidic nature. The structure of amino acids typically includes a carbon atom bonded to both the amino and carboxyl groups, along with a hydrogen atom and a variable R group (side chain) that determines the specific properties and identity of the amino acid. This unique combination of functional groups allows amino acids to link together through peptide bonds to form proteins. In contrast, fatty acids consist of long hydrocarbon chains with a terminal carboxyl group, monosaccharides are simple sugars typically containing multiple hydroxyl (-OH) groups, and ketoacids contain a keto group (C=O) but do not generally possess both an amino and a carboxyl group at the same time. Therefore, the combination of an -NH2 and a -COOH group distinctly points to amino acids.

The presence of an -NH2 group (amino group) and a -COOH group (carboxyl group) is characteristic of an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and contain both functional groups: the amino group is responsible for the basic properties of amino acids, while the carboxyl group is responsible for their acidic nature.

The structure of amino acids typically includes a carbon atom bonded to both the amino and carboxyl groups, along with a hydrogen atom and a variable R group (side chain) that determines the specific properties and identity of the amino acid. This unique combination of functional groups allows amino acids to link together through peptide bonds to form proteins.

In contrast, fatty acids consist of long hydrocarbon chains with a terminal carboxyl group, monosaccharides are simple sugars typically containing multiple hydroxyl (-OH) groups, and ketoacids contain a keto group (C=O) but do not generally possess both an amino and a carboxyl group at the same time. Therefore, the combination of an -NH2 and a -COOH group distinctly points to amino acids.