What is basic structure of an amino acid?

Answer 1

The main identifying factor is The Peptide Bond.

In this Bond the -C-C-C-C- chain is interrupted by Nitrogen as in -C-C-N-C-C-N-C-C-N-C.

All amino acids have the same 3 components: from the C-terminal end, there is an acid group (-COOH) that is bonded to the next C in the chain that is bonded to one H and one -R group [that will determine the kind of amino acid], that is followed by a NH2- that conjoins with the acid of the NEXT AMINO ACID.

The basic structure looks something like this:

H H O

N C C OH

H R

You may also see it like this

H H O

H N C C

H R O

This is just showing the protonated version.

Answer 2

An amino acid consists of a central carbon atom attached to an amino group (-NH2), a carboxyl group (-COOH), a hydrogen atom, and a side chain (R group) that varies among different amino acids. The side chain determines the unique properties of each amino acid.