Question

Amino acids may be acidic, alkaline or neutral. How does this happen? What are essential and nonessential amino acids? Name one of each type. 

Answer 1

This is due to presence of carboxylic acid as well as amino groups. Amino acids which contain two -COOH group and one —NH₂ group are called acidic amino acid, e.g., aspartic acid.

Amino acids which contain two —NH₂ group and one -COOH group are called basic amino acids, e.g., lysine. 

Amino acids which contain one -COOH and one —NH₂ group are called neutral amino acids, e.g., glycine.

Amino acids that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be supplied in the diet are called essential amino acids, e.g., lysine, valine, leucine, etc.

The amino acids which are synthesized by our body are called non-essential amino acids, e.g. alanine, glycine, etc.