the differences between amino acids are in the?
A: side groups
B: hydrogen atoms
The differences between amino acids are primarily found in the side groups, not the hydrogen atoms. Amino acids are organic compounds that are used as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid consists of a central carbon atom (known as the alpha carbon) bonded to four groups: an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom (H), and a side group (denoted as R).
While the amino and carboxyl groups are the same for all amino acids, it is the side group that varies between different types of amino acids. The side groups can be large or small, polar or non-polar, acidic or basic, and have different chemical properties.
The unique characteristics of the side groups contribute to the diverse functions and structures of proteins. The side groups determine how amino acids interact with each other and the surrounding environment, influencing the protein's shape, stability, and interactions with other molecules.