Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
In chemistry, an amphoteric species is a molecule or ion that can act as both an acid and a base. This means that it can donate a proton (H+) to another molecule or ion, or it can accept a proton from another molecule or ion.
Some common examples of amphoteric species include water, ammonia, and amino acids. Water can act as an acid by donating a proton to a base, such as hydroxide ion (OH-). It can also act as a base by accepting a proton from an acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl).
Ammonia is another example of an amphoteric species. It can act as an acid by donating a proton to a base, such as hydroxide ion. It can also act as a base by accepting a proton from an acid, such as hydrochloric acid.
Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. They are amphoteric because they contain both acidic and basic functional groups. The acidic functional group is the carboxyl group (-COOH), and the basic functional group is the amino group (-NH2).
The amphoteric nature of amino acids is important for their biological function. For example, amino acids can act as buffers in the body, helping to maintain the pH of blood and other bodily fluids.
Here are some of the properties of amphoteric species:
They can act as both acids and bases.
They have a pH that is close to 7.
They can be found in both acidic and basic solutions.
They are important for many biological processes.