If not, why are they called "acids"?
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Like Sweet Angela says, they are amphoteric. But, like Bird Guy says, They have various side chains.
Their general formula is HO2C-CHR-NH2. They are called acids because of the HO2C- group, and they are AMINO acids because of the NH2 (amino) group. The R represents the side chain.
Some have an R group containing an extra HO2C- group, making them slightly acidic. Others have an R group containing an extra -NH2 group, making then slightly basic.
Their general formula is HO2C-CHR-NH2. They are called acids because of the HO2C- group, and they are AMINO acids because of the NH2 (amino) group. The R represents the side chain.
Some have an R group containing an extra HO2C- group, making them slightly acidic. Others have an R group containing an extra -NH2 group, making then slightly basic.
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The first answer is flat out wrong just because something is charged has nothing to do with acidity but polarity two totally different things. I do believe they they are slightly acidic as a whole but probably no more than the tap water out of your sink. Also there are 20 different ones and they all have different side chains which definitely will effect the acidity of the compound but with the COOH carboxylic acid chain on them they have a little acidity.
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Amino acids are amphoteric , meaning : capable of functioning either as an acid or as a base ..