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Which of the following is the simplest amino acid -
A
Alanine
B
Asparagine
C
Glycine
D
Tyrosine
Detailed Solution
Amino acids have the general formula $R-CH(NH_2)-COOH$; they differ in the side chain R.
In glycine the R group is just a hydrogen atom: $H_2N-CH_2-COOH$.
It is the smallest and simplest amino acid, and it is the only common amino acid that is not optically active, because its $\alpha$-carbon carries two hydrogen atoms.
Alanine has a methyl group ($R = CH_3$), asparagine has $-CH_2CONH_2$, and tyrosine has a p-hydroxybenzyl group.
So the simplest amino acid is glycine.
In glycine the R group is just a hydrogen atom: $H_2N-CH_2-COOH$.
It is the smallest and simplest amino acid, and it is the only common amino acid that is not optically active, because its $\alpha$-carbon carries two hydrogen atoms.
Alanine has a methyl group ($R = CH_3$), asparagine has $-CH_2CONH_2$, and tyrosine has a p-hydroxybenzyl group.
So the simplest amino acid is glycine.