Question

The amino acid, glycine, has the formula \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{NO}_{2}\). Which elements are present in glycine? What is the total number of atoms represented by the formula?

Short answer

Glycine contains C, H, N, and O with a total of 10 atoms.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Elements in the Formula

The chemical formula for glycine is given as \( \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{NO}_{2} \). In this formula, the elements present are Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), Nitrogen (N), and Oxygen (O).

Count the Number of Atoms for Each Element

According to the formula \( \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{NO}_{2} \):- There are 2 Carbon (C) atoms.- There are 5 Hydrogen (H) atoms.- There is 1 Nitrogen (N) atom.- There are 2 Oxygen (O) atoms.

Calculate the Total Number of Atoms

To find the total number of atoms in glycine, add the number of atoms for each element together: \[ 2 \text{(C)} + 5 \text{(H)} + 1 \text{(N)} + 2 \text{(O)} = 10 \] Thus, there are a total of 10 atoms in a molecule of glycine.

Key concepts

Chemical Formula

A chemical formula provides a snapshot of the types and numbers of atoms in a molecule. For amino acids like glycine, their chemical formulas reveal the building blocks of proteins. The formula goes beyond mere letters and numbers; it contains valuable information:

• Types of Atoms: It tells us which elements are present. For glycine, these are carbon (C), hydrogen (H), nitrogen (N), and oxygen (O).
• Structure Insight: Although the formula does not explicitly show how the atoms are arranged, it hints at the potential structure and functional groups involved in molecular interactions.
• Molecular Mass: Knowing the chemical formula allows for calculating the molecular mass, important for further scientific computations.

Understanding chemical formulas is crucial for mastering chemistry, as they form the foundation for exploring deeper chemical reactions and processes.

Atomic Composition

The atomic composition of a molecule is basically a breakdown of how many atoms of each element are there. This offers a clear perspective on the molecule's structure. Take glycine, for instance. With the formula \( \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{NO}_{2} \), we can determine its atomic composition:

• 2 Carbon atoms contribute to the core framework of the molecule.
• 5 Hydrogen atoms modulate the molecule’s interactions, often influencing its solubility.
• 1 Nitrogen atom typically indicates the presence of an amino group, crucial for protein building.
• 2 Oxygen atoms are significant for forming functional groups like carboxyl, affecting molecule’s properties.

Glycine's overall atomic composition indicates its potential chemical behavior and roles in biological systems, including protein synthesis.

Element Identification

Element identification in a compound involves recognizing each element represented by its chemical symbol. Often, understanding these symbols is the first step in chemical communication. In the case of glycine, with its formula \( \mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{NO}_{2} \), we identify these key elements:

• Carbon (C): Forms the backbone of organic molecules; found ubiquitously in biomolecules.
• Hydrogen (H): Involved universally in organic compounds due to its simplicity and versatility.
• Nitrogen (N): Essential in amino acids and nucleic acids, contributing to the molecule's basic characteristics.
• Oxygen (O): Participates in forming carboxyl and other significant functional groups.

Identifying each element is crucial not just for understanding the chemical makeup, but also for anticipating the compound's role and behavior in biological environments.