Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Amino Acid Structure
Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom (the alpha carbon) bonded to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a variable side chain (R group) that determines the specific properties of the amino acid.
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Chirality
Chirality refers to the geometric property of a molecule having a non-superimposable mirror image, much like left and right hands. In amino acids, chirality is often associated with the presence of a chiral carbon atom, which is a carbon atom bonded to four different groups. This property is crucial in biochemistry, as the chirality of amino acids can affect protein structure and function.
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Lysine Structure
Lysine is an essential amino acid characterized by its side chain containing an additional amino group, making it a positively charged molecule at physiological pH. The structure of lysine includes a chiral center at the alpha carbon, and it is important to identify this chiral center when drawing its structure, as it influences the amino acid's interactions and roles in proteins.
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