Actually, once in water, the amino acid glycine (see problem above) exists as a zwitterion, as shown below. A zwitterion is an overall electrically neutral species that nevertheless has a + and – charge in it.

Now, the NH₃⁺ end is weakly acidic and the COO^– end is weakly basic. Does this mean that the zwitterionic form cannot supply buffering action against strong acid or strong base in water? Explain

Transcribed Image Text:

+ H₂N CH₂ C O O- Zwitterionic form of glycine