In amino acid, the central carbon which contains an amino group and acidic group is called_____

Answer

To answer the question, "In amino acid, the central carbon which contains an amino group and acidic group is called_____," we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Amino Acids**:
- Amino acids are organic molecules that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid contains a central carbon atom.

2. **Identifying Functional Groups**:
- An amino acid has two important functional groups:
- An **amino group** (NH2), which is a basic group.
- A **carboxyl group** (COOH), which is an acidic group.

3. **Structure of Amino Acids**:
- The central carbon atom (C) in an amino acid is bonded to:
- The amino group (NH2)
- The carboxyl group (COOH)
- A hydrogen atom (H)
- A variable side chain (R group), which determines the specific characteristics of each amino acid.

4. **Naming the Central Carbon**:
- The central carbon atom that is bonded to these groups is specifically referred to as the **alpha carbon**.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, the answer to the question is that the central carbon in an amino acid, which contains an amino group and a carboxyl group, is called the **alpha carbon**.

### Final Answer:
The central carbon which contains an amino group and acidic group in an amino acid is called **alpha carbon**.

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