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Multiple Choice
Which of the following amino acids has more than one asymmetric (chiral) center?
A
Serine
B
Glycine
C
Alanine
D
Isoleucine
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of an asymmetric (chiral) center. A chiral center is a carbon atom that is bonded to four different groups. This property makes the molecule non-superimposable on its mirror image.
Step 2: Analyze the structure of each amino acid provided in the question. Use the general formula for amino acids and their specific side chains to determine the number of chiral centers.
Step 3: Glycine has no chiral centers because its side chain is a hydrogen atom, making two of the groups bonded to the alpha carbon identical.
Step 4: Serine and Alanine each have one chiral center at the alpha carbon, which is bonded to four different groups: the amino group (-NH2), the carboxyl group (-COOH), the hydrogen atom, and their respective side chains.
Step 5: Isoleucine has two chiral centers. The alpha carbon is chiral, and an additional chiral center exists in its side chain. This makes Isoleucine unique among the options provided.