Alanine’s Lewis structure depicts its electron distribution and bonding. It consists of a central tetrahedral carbon (alpha carbon) bonded to an amine group (-NH2), a carboxylic acid group (-COOH), a methyl group (-CH3), and a hydrogen atom. The carbon atom forms covalent bonds with the amine group, carboxylic acid group, and methyl group. The amine group has a lone pair of electrons, while the carboxylic acid group has a resonance structure with alternating single and double bonds. The Lewis structure provides insights into the molecular geometry and polarity of alanine, which influence its chemical properties and biological functions.
