Amino Acids

[Edher]

Hello,

Why is it that the monomers of proteins are called amino acids and not all of them are acids? Such as Lysine, Arginine and Histidine which are basic.

Thank You, Edher

[biostudent84]

It's from the Carboxyl group on the "amino" area. Every amino acid has a COOH group on their structure.

Some molecules have both acidic and basic ends even though a molecule overall is only one pH.