Optically inactive amino acid is/are:: (A) Threonine, (B) Thyronine, (C) Valine, (D) Glycine
Answer is D. Ans: d. Glycine Amino acids having an asymmetric carbon atom exhibit optical activity. Asymmetry arises when 4 different groups are attached to the same carbon atomGlycine is the simplest amino acids & has no asymmetric carbon atom & therefore shows no optical activity. All others are optically activeThe mirror image forms produced with reference to the alpha carbon atom, are called D & L isomersIsoleucine er threonine have 2 optically active centres & therefore each has 4 diastereo isomers