[Campbell Biology P.112] Which of the following statements accurately describes the Carboxyl... | Practice Question
Which of the following statements accurately describes the Carboxyl group -COOH ?
A: It acts as an acid by donating H+ due to the polarity of the O-H bond, and compounds containing it are called carboxylic acids.
B: It is primarily responsible for the basic properties of amino acids, picking up H+ from solutions.
C: It contributes negative charge and is primarily involved in stabilizing protein structure through cross-links.
D: It is a highly polar group that helps dissolve compounds like sugars, forming alcohols.
Explanation
The Carboxyl group -COOH acts as an acid because the covalent bond between oxygen and hydrogen is very polar, allowing it to donate H+. Compounds with a carboxyl group are called carboxylic acids or organic acids, as stated in the table.