The molecule is an alpha-amino acid that is alanine substituted at position 3 by a hydroxy group. It has a role as a fundamental metabolite. It is an alpha-amino acid and a polar amino acid. It contains a hydroxymethyl group. It is a conjugate base of a serinium. It is a conjugate acid of a serinate. It is a tautomer of a serine zwitterion.
2-amino-3-hydroxypropanoic acid