Alevel Chemistry: Amino acids and amides

Amino acids and amides

Amino acids are organic compounds containing both amine NH2 and carboxylic acid COOH functional groups.

The amino acids in the body are alpha amino acids. This means the amine NH2 group is bonded directly toa carbon atom bonded to a COOH goup. This carbon atom is also bonded to an R group which differs depending on the type of amino acid.

Reactions of the amine group:The amine group can react as a base- it can accept a proton. It will react with…