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11 grade chemistry others

The optically inactive amino acid is

  • A) Lysine
  • B) Glycine
  • C) Arginine
  • D) Alanine

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10 Months agoGrade
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1 Answer

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ApprovedApproved Tutor Answer10 Months ago

The optically inactive amino acid among the options provided is Glycine.

Why Glycine is Unique

Glycine is the simplest amino acid, with a structure that does not have a chiral center. This means it cannot exist in different forms (enantiomers) like other amino acids can.

Comparison with Other Amino Acids

  • Lysine: Has a chiral center and is optically active.
  • Arginine: Also has a chiral center, making it optically active.
  • Alanine: Contains a chiral center, thus is optically active as well.

In summary, Glycine stands out as the only amino acid listed that does not exhibit optical activity due to its lack of chirality.