Question

What types of functional groups are present in an amino acid? A carbohydrate?

Answer 1

We know that amino acids and the carbohydrates both are biomolecules and have a big role in the human metabolism to generate energy and to maintain human health. But both are not the same and contain different elements in their structures.

Complete answer:
An amino acid contains a carboxyl group and an amine group and other groups, depending on its structure. A carbohydrate contains hydroxyl groups and several other functional groups depending on the structure. A typical amino acid has the formula: ${{H}_{2}}N-RCH-COOH$
The green $N{{H}_{2}}$ group is an amino group. The $COOH$ is the carboxyl group.
In addition the $R$ side chain may contain other functional groups such as $-SH$(sulfhydryl) and $-S-S-$ disulfide). Glucose and fructose are typical carbohydrates. They both contain hydroxyl groups, but glucose has an aldehyde group while fructose has a ketone group. The cyclic forms contain hemiacetal, hemiketal, acetal, and ketal groups.
In amino acids there is a presence of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen elements in their structure. Coming to the carbohydrates, carbohydrates contain carbon, oxygen and hydrogen elements in their structure. Therefore the nitrogen is the extra element which is present in amino acids and not present in the carbohydrates. The functional groups which are present in amino acids are amine and carboxylic acids.

Note:
Remember that both amino acids and carbohydrates belong to the category of biomolecules but the roles of the both are different acids are the building blocks of the proteins and carbohydrates are a source of the energy in the living organisms. We need both to lead a smooth life. The functional groups which are present in carbohydrates are aldehyde and ketone.