i. Aspartic acid has an isoelectric point at pH 2.8. Draw its most prominent forms at pH levels 1, 2.8, 5, and 11.
ii. Explain why the carboxylic side chain of aspartic acid is less acidic than its carboxylic acid near the α-carbon atom.

• A. i) ii) COOH at the side chain is less acidic because the degree of the inductive effect is lower when compared to COOH attached to α-carbon.
• B. i) ii) The difference in hybrid orbitals causes COOH at the side chain to be less acidic. COOH at the side chain is sp, while COOH attached to the α-carbon is sp².
• C. i) ii) COOH at the side chain is less acidic because the degree of the inductive effect is lower when compared to COOH attached to α-carbon.
• D. i) ii) COOH at the side chain is less acidic because the degree of the charge is lower when compared to COOH attached to α-carbon.