In: Chemistry
Two structures of alanine can be drawn that have a net charge of zero, but the predominant form of alanine at its pI is zwitterionic. Why is alanine predominantly zwitterionic rather than completely uncharged at its pI? What percent (to one significant figure) of alanine molecules would be in the completely uncharged form at the pI? Hint: pK1 of alanine is 2.35 and pK2 is 9.87.