JEE Main · 2019 · Shift-ImediumBIO-116

Among the following compounds most basic amino acid is

Biomolecules · Class 12 · JEE Main Previous Year Question

Question

Among the following compounds most basic amino acid is

Options
  1. a

    Asparagine

  2. b

    Lysine

  3. c

    Serine

  4. d

    Histidine

Correct Answerb

Lysine

Detailed Solution

Step 1: Identifying Side Chain Basicity — Amino acids vary based on the basicity of their side (R) groups. Acidic residues like Asp are excluded.

Step 2: Comparing Basic Amino Acids — Lysine has a primary amino side chain (pKaapprox10.5\text{p}K_a \\approx 10.5), while Histidine has an imidazole group (pKaapprox6.0\text{p}K_a \\approx 6.0).

Step 3: Conclusion — Therefore, lysine is significantly more basic than histidine, serine, and asparagine. Correct option is (b).

Key Point: Arginine would be even more basic if included, due to its highly resonance-stabilized guanidino group.

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