Question

The three letter code for alpha-amino acids is an indication of?

a. no specific stereochemistry because we use both D and L forms.

b. D stereochemistry because these are the ones we are made of.

c. L stereochemistry because these are the ones we are made of.

Answer 1

a.no specific stereochemistry because we use both D and L forms of amino acids

All alpha amino acids except glycine can exist in either of two enantiomers, called L or D amino acids, which are mirror images of each other.

Every amino acid (except glycine) can occur in two isomeric forms, because of the possibility of forming two different enantiomers (stereoisomers) around the central carbon atom. By convention, these are called L- and D- forms, analogous to left-handed and right-handed configurations.