Question

2.1.2 quiz: protein synthesis

question 9 of 10
proteins are made up of chains of amino acids. amino acids have carboxyl groups, which are made up of which two types of atoms?

a. nitrogen and oxygen

b. carbon and phosphorus

c. carbon and oxygen

d. hydrogen and nitrogen

Explanation:

A carboxyl group has the formula -COOH. The atoms in it are carbon (C) and oxygen (O) (from the -COOH structure). Nitrogen (N) is in the amino group (-NH₂), phosphorus (P) is not in the carboxyl group, and hydrogen (H) is not one of the two main atoms asked about in the context of the carboxyl group's key atoms (the question asks for two types, and carbon and oxygen are the distinct ones for the carboxyl group's core structure).

Answer:

C. Carbon and oxygen