Amino acids are the key components of proteins when fully

Question

Amino acids are the key components of proteins. When fully protonated, amino acids have similar chemical reactions as diprotic acids (such as found in H₂CO₃). For example, alanine udergoes the following reactions:

• H₂C₃H₅NO_2⁺(aq)  H⁺_(aq) + HC₃H₅NO_{2 (aq)} K₁ = 4.5 X 10^-3
• HC₃H₅NO_{2 (aq)}  H⁺_(aq) + C₃H₅NO₂^-_(aq) K₂ = 1.3 X 10^-10
• H₂O_(I)  H⁺_(aq) + OH^-_(aq) K_w = 1.0 X 10^-14

Using only the value of the first equilibrium constant value (K₁) from part "A" would a solution that had the following concentrations (H₂C₃H₅NO₂⁺ = 0.000050M; H⁺ = 0.000040M; HC₃H₅NO₂ = 0.000030M) be at equilibrium? What is the value of Q for this system? If it is not at equilibrium, in which direction would it proceed to reach equilibrium?

• 0.000024; Q < K; reaction will proceed to make more products.
• 0.000023; Q > K; reaction will proceed to make more reactants.
• 0.000022; Q < K; reaction will proceed to make more products.
• 0.000020; Q > K; reaction will proceed to make more reactants.
• 0.000019; Q < K; reaction will proceed to make more products.