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Amino Acids and Proteins

Reactions of amino acids

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit A2 2

Overview

Observed when an amino acid is added to sodium carbonate and observed when an amino acid is treated with nitrous acid.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

How does an amino acid react with sodium carbonate, and what happens when it meets copper(II) sulfate?

Key term

What happens when an amino acid reacts with sodium carbonate?

Key term

Write the equation for the reaction of glycine with sodium carbonate

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What happens when an amino acid reacts with sodium carbonate?

    Model answer

    The carboxylic acid group reacts, giving the sodium salt of the amino acid, carbon dioxide and water.

  2. 2

    Write the reaction of glycine with sodium carbonate.

    Model answer

    2H₂NCH₂COOH + Na₂CO₃ → 2H₂NCH₂COO⁻Na⁺ + CO₂ + H₂O.

  3. 3

    What is observed when an amino acid is added to sodium carbonate?

    Model answer

    Effervescence, as carbon dioxide is released.

  4. 4

    What happens when an amino acid reacts with copper(II) sulfate?

    Model answer

    A deep blue complex forms, in which the amino acid acts as a ligand and coordinates to the copper ion.

  5. 5

    How does the amino acid bind to the copper ion?

    Model answer

    Through the lone pair on the nitrogen and through an oxygen of the carboxylate, so it acts as a bidentate ligand.

  6. 6

    What colour change is observed with copper(II) sulfate?

    Model answer

    The pale blue of the aqueous copper ion deepens to an intense blue or blue-violet.

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