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Multiple Choice
All amino acids, such as the four represented in the figure, contain __________.
A
two carboxyl groups and a sulfur atom
B
a benzene ring and a hydroxyl group
C
an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a unique R group attached to a central (alpha) carbon
D
a phosphate group and a methyl group
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the structure of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and share a common structure. Each amino acid contains a central (alpha) carbon atom to which four groups are attached.
Step 2: Identify the four groups attached to the alpha carbon. These include: (1) an amino group (-NH₂), (2) a carboxyl group (-COOH), (3) a hydrogen atom, and (4) a unique side chain (R group) that varies among different amino acids.
Step 3: Recognize that the R group is what differentiates one amino acid from another. The R group can be as simple as a hydrogen atom (as in glycine) or a complex structure like a benzene ring (as in phenylalanine).
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options based on the structure of amino acids. For example, amino acids do not universally contain two carboxyl groups, a sulfur atom, a benzene ring, or a phosphate group.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct answer is: 'an amino group, a carboxyl group, a hydrogen atom, and a unique R group attached to a central (alpha) carbon,' as this describes the fundamental structure of all amino acids.