levo

Amino Acids and Proteins

Zwitterions and physical properties

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit A2 2

Overview

Recall questions on what a zwitterion is and how an amino acid forms one, the zwitterion of glycine, the forms taken in strongly acidic and strongly alkaline solution, the isoelectric point and why it differs between amino acids, the high melting temperatures and solubility in water, and why an amino acid can act as a buffer.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Process

What is a zwitterion, how does an amino acid form one, and what is meant by the isoelectric point?

Key term

What is a zwitterion?

Process

How does an amino acid form a zwitterion?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is a zwitterion?

    Model answer

    A dipolar ion carrying both a positive and a negative charge, with no overall charge.

  2. 2

    How does an amino acid form a zwitterion?

    Model answer

    The carboxylic acid group donates a proton to the amine group of the same molecule.

  3. 3

    Write the zwitterion of glycine.

    Model answer

    ⁺H₃NCH₂COO⁻.

  4. 4

    In what state does an amino acid exist as a zwitterion?

    Model answer

    In the solid and in aqueous solution near its isoelectric point.

  5. 5

    What is the isoelectric point?

    Model answer

    The pH at which the amino acid exists entirely as the zwitterion and carries no net charge.

  6. 6

    What form does an amino acid take in strongly acidic solution?

    Model answer

    The carboxylate is protonated, so the molecule carries a single positive charge as ⁺H₃NCH₂COOH.

Other ways to work this

The same content, four other ways.

What is inside Levo

Six ways to work the same material.

1Closed book
2Open book
3Closed book

The 3-step method, run for you

Answer cold, learn it, then prove it stuck. Levo tracks the jump between your first attempt and your last.

Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
Atomic Structure
Bonding
Intermolecular Forces and Structure

Cram a whole paper in one sitting

Sort every topic into what you know and what you do not, then drill only the weak ones.

Yellow to .
brownbluegreen

Blank Blitz makes facts automatic

Rapid timed gap-fills on the terms and numbers you need to recall without thinking.

AThe reactants total 159.6 + 84.0 = 243.6.
BThe two moles of iron have a mass of 111.6.
CThe atom economy is 45.8%.

Build It gets the exam shape right

Assemble a full-mark answer from its marking points, in the order an examiner wants them.

There are 1000 cm³ in one dm³.
TrueFalse

Test It catches misconceptions

Spot the fault in a statement. The traps are the mistakes students actually make.

721941163128510

Brain Breaks between sessions

Short focus games to reset attention, so the next set lands better than the last.

Every question in Amino Acids and Proteins, on a schedule.

Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.

Or £46 a year, about £3.83 a month. Cancel anytime.