What are the differences between acidic and basic amino acids?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Acidic amino acids

Basic amino acids

Definition

Are amino acids with a carboxylic acid group on their side chains at neutral pH, resulting in acidic properties in the molecule

Are amino acids with an amino group on their side chains at neutral pH, resulting in basic or alkaline properties in the molecule

Side chain

Side chain is acidic

Side chain is basic

Charge

Have a net negative charge at neutral pH

Have a net positive charge at neutral pH.

pKa value

Low pKa values

High pKa values

Ionization

Form anions due to the potential to lose protons

Form cations due to the potential to gain protons

Properties

Have a carboxylic acid side chain resulting in acidic properties in the molecule

Have an amino group in the side chains, resulting in basic properties in the molecule

Examples

Glutamic acid
Aspartic acid

Lysine
Arginine
Histidine

Basis of differentiation	Acidic amino acids	Basic amino acids
Definition	Are amino acids with a carboxylic acid group on their side chains at neutral pH, resulting in acidic properties in the molecule	Are amino acids with an amino group on their side chains at neutral pH, resulting in basic or alkaline properties in the molecule
Side chain	Side chain is acidic	Side chain is basic
Charge	Have a net negative charge at neutral pH	Have a net positive charge at neutral pH.
pKa value	Low pKa values	High pKa values
Ionization	Form anions due to the potential to lose protons	Form cations due to the potential to gain protons
Properties	Have a carboxylic acid side chain resulting in acidic properties in the molecule	Have an amino group in the side chains, resulting in basic properties in the molecule
Examples	Glutamic acid Aspartic acid	Lysine Arginine Histidine