Final answer:
The amino and carboxyl groups are responsible for the pH value of alanine. The amino group can act as a base and accept a proton, raising the pH, while the carboxyl group can act as an acid and donate a proton, lowering the pH.
Step-by-step explanation:
The structure of alanine consists of a central carbon atom bonded to an amino group (NH2), a carboxyl group (COOH), a hydrogen atom (H), and a methyl (CH3) group. The amino and carboxyl groups are responsible for the pH value of alanine. The amino group can act as a base and accept a proton, raising the pH, while the carboxyl group can act as an acid and donate a proton, lowering the pH.