What do the structures of Glycine and Arginine have in common? And what makes them different?

Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "Glycine and Arginine" to get these possible sources:

https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=Glycine+and+Arginine&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search. Also see http://hanlib.sou.edu/searchtools/.

http://www.hackcollege.com/blog/2011/11/23/infographic-get-more-out-of-google.html

Don't just copy the material. Express the ideas in your own words. Although this will take more time and effort, you will learn more.

To compare the structures of two amino acids, Glycine and Arginine, we need to understand their molecular formulas and then analyze their structural differences.

1. Glycine (Gly):
- Molecular formula: C2H5NO2
- Glycine is the smallest of all amino acids and the only proteinogenic amino acid that is not chiral (it lacks an asymmetric carbon atom).
- Its structure consists of a single hydrogen atom (H) as the side chain attached to the central carbon (α-carbon) atom, along with a hydrogen atom, an amino group (-NH2), and a carboxyl group (-COOH).

2. Arginine (Arg):
- Molecular formula: C6H14N4O2
- Arginine is a basic amino acid and contains a guanidinium group (-C(NH2)(NH)-NH2) in its side chain, making it positively charged.
- Its structure includes a central carbon (α-carbon) atom bonded to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), and three carbon atoms forming the side chain, which ends with a guanidinium group.

Similarities:

1. Both Glycine and Arginine are amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.
2. Both contain a central carbon (α-carbon) atom bonded to an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH).

Differences:

1. The side chains of Glycine and Arginine are different. Glycine has a simple hydrogen atom as its side chain, while Arginine has a more complex guanidinium group, contributing to its positive charge.
2. Arginine contains six carbon atoms in its side chain, while Glycine does not have a side chain beyond the central carbon atom.
3. Arginine is a basic amino acid because of its guanidinium group, while Glycine is neither basic nor acidic.
4. Glycine is achiral and has no optical isomer, while Arginine is chiral and can form two enantiomers.

To visualize the structures of these amino acids, it can be helpful to refer to chemical structure visualization software or search for illustrations online.