Question:
Which of the following amino acid is optically inactive?
Which of the following amino acid is optically inactive?
Show Hint
Glycine is the only common \(\alpha\)-amino acid that is optically inactive because its \(\alpha\)-carbon carries two identical hydrogen atoms.
Updated On: Jun 18, 2026
- Glycine
- Proline
- Tyrosine
- Alanine
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Recall the condition for optical activity.
A molecule is optically active if it contains a chiral carbon atom attached to four different groups.
Step 2: Examine glycine.
The structure of glycine is \[ NH_2-CH_2-COOH \] The \(\alpha\)-carbon is attached to \[ H,\ H,\ NH_2,\ COOH \] Since two substituents are identical (\(H\) and \(H\)), the carbon atom is not chiral.
Therefore, glycine is optically inactive.
Step 3: Examine the remaining amino acids.
Alanine: \[ NH_2-CH(CH_3)-COOH \] contains a chiral carbon.
Tyrosine and proline also contain asymmetric carbon atoms and are optically active.
Step 4: Final conclusion.
Hence, the optically inactive amino acid is \[ \boxed{\text{Glycine}} \] Therefore, the correct option is (1).
A molecule is optically active if it contains a chiral carbon atom attached to four different groups.
Step 2: Examine glycine.
The structure of glycine is \[ NH_2-CH_2-COOH \] The \(\alpha\)-carbon is attached to \[ H,\ H,\ NH_2,\ COOH \] Since two substituents are identical (\(H\) and \(H\)), the carbon atom is not chiral.
Therefore, glycine is optically inactive.
Step 3: Examine the remaining amino acids.
Alanine: \[ NH_2-CH(CH_3)-COOH \] contains a chiral carbon.
Tyrosine and proline also contain asymmetric carbon atoms and are optically active.
Step 4: Final conclusion.
Hence, the optically inactive amino acid is \[ \boxed{\text{Glycine}} \] Therefore, the correct option is (1).
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