Which amino acid has no stereocenter and is therefore achiral?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Glycine
- Step 1: A chiral center needs four different groups. Step 2. Glycine's side chain is a hydrogen atom, so it carries two identical hydrogens on the alpha carbon. Answer: glycine. Why not the others: the other amino acids each have four different groups on the alpha carbon.
Practise more Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Free questions with an explanation for every one, and full timed MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) mock tests.
More Biochemistry and Molecular Biology questions
- Which enzyme catalyzes the rate-limiting step of glycolysis?
- A competitive inhibitor is added to an enzyme reaction. How are the apparent Km and Vmax affected?
- A noncompetitive inhibitor is added to an enzyme reaction. How are the apparent Km and Vmax affected?
- What is the net yield of ATP from the glycolysis of one glucose molecule?
- Where in the cell does the electron transport chain operate in eukaryotes?
- Which molecule is the final electron acceptor of the electron transport chain?