Science, Tech, Math › Science Definition of Zwitterion Share Flipboard Email Print Bacsica / Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Facebook Twitter Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on March 22, 2019 A zwitterion is a molecule that contains both positively and negatively charged functional groups, and the net charge of the entire molecule is zero. Amino acids are the best-known examples of zwitterions. They contain an amine group (basic) and a carboxyl group (acidic). Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Definition of Zwitterion." ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/definition-of-zwitterion-604702. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2021, February 16). Definition of Zwitterion. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-zwitterion-604702 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Definition of Zwitterion." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-zwitterion-604702 (accessed May 30, 2023). copy citation Featured Video