What different between a-amino acid and b-amino acid?
α-Amino acids are simple molecules that are made of a central C-atom, labelled Ca, that is bound to a primary amine group NH2 and to a carboxylic group COOH. The carbon which is attached to the functional group or "R" is called as the Alpha carbon.
A beta amino acid is the one where the amino group of -NH2 is attached to the secondary carbon rather than the Alpha carbon.
In L-alanine. In the 1st picture the Amino group and the Carboxy
group are attached to the main carbon atom ( Alpha carbon) so it is
an alpha-amino acid.
In the B-Alanine amino group is not attached to the carbon which
has a functional group. This is attached to the carbon adjacent to
the functional group.
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