10.What is the importance of
the –R group (variable
radical) in an amino acid
molecule?

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The group, also called a lateral
chain, is the variable part of the amino
acid . The –R group can be a
complex chain, a substituting
group (forming then the amino
acid alanine) or even only a hydrogen
(forming , the simplest amino
acid). So the –R group is important
because it is the differentiation factor of
amino acids.