Assertion : Amino acids are called `alpha`-amino acids.
Reason : Amino acids are organic compounds containing an amino group and an acidic group as substituents on the `alpha`-carbon.

Answer

A

Explanation

Amino acids are organic acids (with carboxylic group `-COOH`) having amino group `(-NH_(2))` generally attached to `alpha`-carbon or carbon next to the carboxylic group. Hence, they are called `alpha`-amino acids. The `alpha`-carbon also bears a variable hydrocarbon or alkyl group R and hydrogen. Amino acids are, therefore, substituted methanes where the four substituent groups occupy the four valency positions. These are hydrogen, carboxyl group, amino group and a variable group designated as R group.