Amphiprotic

Definition

An amphiprotic substance is one that can both donate and accept a proton (H+ ion) in a chemical reaction. In the context of amino acids, this property is crucial for their ability to act as buffers in biological systems.

Related terms

Amino Acid: The building blocks of proteins, characterized by having both an amine group (-NH2) and a carboxylic acid group (-COOH), which contribute to their amphiprotic nature.

Buffer: A solution that resists changes in pH when acids or bases are added to it, often containing substances like amino acids that have amphiprotic properties.

Zwitterion: A molecule with both positive and negative charges but is overall electrically neutral; amino acids in certain pH conditions exist as zwitterions due to their amphiprotic characteristics.