Same chapter3 marksDifficulty: Medium
What is denaturation of a protein, and what happens to its structure?
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3 marksDifficulty: Medium
What is a zwitterion, and why do amino acids have high melting points?
Original Khojo Papers practice question — not from a past board paper.
Answer
A zwitterion is a molecule that carries both a positive and a negative charge but is neutral overall; an amino acid exists as one because the carboxyl group loses a proton to the amino group. The strong electrostatic forces between these dipolar ions are why amino acids are crystalline solids with high melting points and are soluble in water rather than in organic solvents.
No citable source has been recorded for this record. Treat it as practice material, not as fact.
Explanation
The pH at which the zwitterion is exactly balanced is the isoelectric point.
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Solutions