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nmdcat.online June 29, 2026

Regarding the stereochemistry of amino acids, the α-carbon of all standard amino acids except glycine is a chiral center, and the predominant configuration in proteins is

A. D-configuration
B. L-configuration
✓
C. A mixture of D and L forms
D. A configuration that is neither D nor L

📝 Explanation

The α-carbon of 19 of the 20 standard amino acids is attached to four different groups, making it a chiral center. With very rare exceptions, ribosomes exclusively incorporate amino acids with the L-configuration into proteins. Glycine has two hydrogens and is thus achiral.

📖 Additional Information

  • D-configuration
  • L-configuration
  • A mixture of D and L forms
  • A configuration that is neither D nor L

The α-carbon of 19 of the 20 standard amino acids is attached to four different groups, making it a chiral center. With very rare exceptions, ribosomes exclusively incorporate amino acids with the L-configuration into proteins. Glycine has two hydrogens and is thus achiral.

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