What is an alpha carbon?
The alpha carbon is linked to an amino group, a carboxylic acid, a hydrogen atom, and a distinctive side chain called the R-group.
Alpha carbon is a term used in organic chemistry to describe the first carbon atom that is attached to a functional group in a molecule. In a molecule with a single functional group (such as a carbonyl group), the alpha carbon is the carbon atom immediately adjacent to the functional group. In the case of amino acids, the alpha carbon is the carbon atom that is bound to both the carboxyl (-COOH) and amino (-NH2) groups. The designation of the alpha carbon is important because it affects the reactivity and physical properties of the molecule. For example, the acidity of the alpha hydrogen attached to the alpha carbon in carbonyl compounds makes them more reactive in certain chemical reactions.
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