Chemistry - Biomolecules Question with Solution | TestHub

The general structure of an $\alpha$-amino acid is ${\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{N}-\mathrm{CH}(\mathrm{R})-\mathrm{COOH}$, where $\mathrm{R}$ represents the side chain.

For serine, the chemical name is 2-amino-3-hydroxypropanoic acid. Its structure is $\mathrm{HO}-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-\mathrm{CH}({\mathrm{NH}}_2)-\mathrm{COOH}$.

Comparing this with the general structure, the side chain ($\mathrm{R}$) group in serine is the hydroxymethyl group, which is $\mathrm{HO}-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-$.

Answer: $\mathrm{HO}-{\mathrm{CH}}_2-$