What essential groups do amino acids contain?

Amino acids are organic compounds that serve as the building blocks of proteins. Each amino acid contains two essential functional groups: an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (-COOH).

The amino group consists of a nitrogen atom bonded to two hydrogen atoms, which contributes basic properties and is characteristic of amino acids. The carboxylic acid group contains a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and singly bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH), giving it acidic properties. Together, these groups allow amino acids to participate in peptide bond formation, linking them to form proteins.

While hydroxyl groups, carbonyl groups, and phosphate groups are important in other biological molecules, they are not part of the fundamental structure of amino acids. The correct pairing of the amino and carboxylic acid groups is what defines an amino acid and distinguishes it from other organic compounds.