The pH value of a solution in which a polar amino acid does not migrat...
The pH value of a solution in which a polar amino acid does not migrate under the influence of an electric field is called the isoelectric point.
Explanation:
Polar Amino Acids:
Amino acids are organic compounds that contain both an amino group (-NH2) and a carboxyl group (-COOH). They are the building blocks of proteins. Some amino acids have polar side chains, which means they have a partial positive or negative charge.
Electric Field and Migration:
When an electric field is applied to a solution containing charged particles, such as polar amino acids, the charged particles will migrate towards the oppositely charged electrode. The migration of charged particles in an electric field is called electrophoresis.
Isoelectric Point:
The isoelectric point (pI) is the pH value at which a polar amino acid does not migrate under the influence of an electric field. At this pH, the net charge on the amino acid is zero, and it remains stationary in the electric field.
Charge of Amino Acids:
The charge on an amino acid depends on the pH of the solution. At low pH values (acidic conditions), the amino acid is protonated and carries a positive charge. At high pH values (basic conditions), the amino acid is deprotonated and carries a negative charge. At the isoelectric point, the amino acid is in its zwitterionic form, which means it has both a positive and a negative charge that cancel each other out, resulting in a net charge of zero.
pH and Isoelectric Point:
The pH at which the isoelectric point occurs depends on the specific amino acid. Each amino acid has a unique isoelectric point based on the properties of its side chain. For example, the isoelectric point of lysine is around pH 9.8, while the isoelectric point of glutamic acid is around pH 3.2.
Conclusion:
The pH value at which a polar amino acid does not migrate under the influence of an electric field is called the isoelectric point. At this pH, the amino acid is in its zwitterionic form and carries no net charge.