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VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Chemistry => Topic started by: nacho on June 03, 2011, 02:20:58 pm

Title: Amino Acids as buffers
Post by: nacho on June 03, 2011, 02:20:58 pm

Hey,
Just wondering, if we're given an amino acid, which happens to have a carboxylic acid in its' Z-group,
and they tell us to draw:
-the zwitter ion
-what it looks like in a basic environment

in either case, will there be a change in both carboxylic acids donate a H+ ion, or just the one off the main chain?

thanks.

Title: Re: Amino Acids as buffers
Post by: Russ on June 03, 2011, 02:29:35 pm

99.9% sure it's both, afaik it's a common question for that reason

Title: Re: Amino Acids as buffers
Post by: nacho on June 03, 2011, 03:02:44 pm

thanks.
also, what is the difference between beta-glucose and galactose?

Title: Re: Amino Acids as buffers
Post by: Charmz on June 03, 2011, 06:13:50 pm

Quote from: nacho on June 03, 2011, 03:02:44 pm

thanks.
also, what is the difference between beta-glucose and galactose?

Beta Glucose is an isomer and is used as a structural glucose i.e Cellulose cell wall.
Galactose is a monosaccharide which is different to beta glucose again because it has a different structure. It is less sweet than glucose.

EDIT: What are buffers? I got a few questions to do with them in my biology book.

Title: Re: Amino Acids as buffers
Post by: EvangelionZeta on June 04, 2011, 12:22:17 am

A buffer regulates the pH of a solution - in other words, it makes it resist a change in pH.