NCERT · Class 12 · Chemistry · BiomoleculesExplain the term 'Zwitterion' with a suitable example of an amino acid.

In an aqueous solution, a neutral amino acid molecule contains both a basic amino group (-NH2) and an acidic carboxyl group (-COOH). The carboxyl group loses a proton while the amino group accepts it, resulting in the formation of a dipolar ion containing both positive and negative charges. This dipolar ion is called a Zwitterion. For example, glycine exists as H3N+-CH2-COO- in water, exhibiting dipolar neutral behavior.