14.16 How do you explain the amphoteric behaviour of amino acids?

Answers (1)

D Devendra Khairwa

Amino acid has both acidic group and basic group $(N-H)$ . Thus in aqueous solution, the carboxyl group can lose a proton and the basic group (amine group) can accept a proton. In this way, it forms zwitter ion which can act in both ways i.e., acidic as well as basic. Hence amino acids are amphoteric in nature.