zwitterion
A zwitterion is a dipolar ion that is capable of carrying both a positive and negative charge simultaneously. The best example of this is amino acids. Amino acids have a basic NH2 group and an acidic COOH group. What usually happens is that the H from the COOH group (carboxylic acid end) migrates to the NH2 group; this causes what is known as a "dipole moment." Selected zwitterion links: |
| © 2004 TheBioTechDictionary.com. If you have comments or additions that you wish to make, please email us. If you found this site useful, feel free to tell others or link to it from your site! TheBioTechDictionary.com is a purely informational website, and should not be used as a substitute for professional legal, medical or technical advice. |