Why are amino acids called amphoteric?

Amino acids consist of both acidic (carboxyl group) and basic (amino group) groups in the same molecule. The carboxyl group can lose a proton and amino group can accept a proton in aqueous solution giving rise to a dipolar ion known as Zwitter ion. This is neutral and contains both positive and negative charges. Amino acids show amphoteric behaviour as they react with both acids and bases. #aminoAcids #acidic #basic #carboxylGroup #aminoGroup #ZwitterIon