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Multiple Choice
Which statement accurately describes amino acids?
A
All amino acids have nonpolar side chains.
B
Amino acids do not contain any chiral centers.
C
Amino acids are only found in DNA and RNA.
D
Amino acids contain both an amino group ($-\mathrm{NH}_2$) and a carboxyl group ($-\mathrm{COOH}$) attached to the same carbon atom.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the structure of amino acids. Amino acids are organic molecules that serve as the building blocks of proteins. They contain both an amino group ($-\mathrm{NH}_2$) and a carboxyl group ($-\mathrm{COOH}$) attached to the same carbon atom, known as the alpha carbon.
Step 2: Examine the side chains of amino acids. Amino acids can have polar, nonpolar, acidic, or basic side chains, depending on the specific amino acid. Therefore, the statement 'All amino acids have nonpolar side chains' is incorrect.
Step 3: Consider chirality in amino acids. Most amino acids (except glycine) have a chiral center at the alpha carbon, meaning they exist in two enantiomeric forms (L and D). Thus, the statement 'Amino acids do not contain any chiral centers' is incorrect.
Step 4: Evaluate the presence of amino acids in biological molecules. Amino acids are not components of DNA or RNA; nucleotides are the building blocks of these molecules. Therefore, the statement 'Amino acids are only found in DNA and RNA' is incorrect.
Step 5: Conclude that the correct statement is: 'Amino acids contain both an amino group ($-\mathrm{NH}_2$) and a carboxyl group ($-\mathrm{COOH}$) attached to the same carbon atom.' This accurately describes the fundamental structure of amino acids.