Hydrophobicity

Definition

Hydrophobicity is a physical property of molecules or surfaces that repel water, or do not interact favorably with water molecules. It is a key concept in understanding the structures and interactions of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hydrophobicity is a key factor in the folding and stability of protein structures, as hydrophobic amino acid side chains tend to be buried within the interior of the protein to minimize contact with water.
2. The hydrophobic effect, where water molecules organize and become more ordered around non-polar solutes, is a major driving force in protein folding and the formation of lipid bilayers.
3. Hydrophobic interactions, along with hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions, are important in the formation of protein secondary structures such as alpha-helices and beta-sheets.
4. The degree of hydrophobicity of an amino acid side chain is determined by its chemical structure, with non-polar, uncharged groups being the most hydrophobic.
5. Hydrophobicity plays a crucial role in the self-assembly of biomolecules, such as the formation of cell membranes and the packing of lipids and proteins within those membranes.

Review Questions

• Explain how the hydrophobic effect contributes to the folding and stability of protein structures.
  • The hydrophobic effect is a major driving force in protein folding, where the burial of non-polar, hydrophobic amino acid side chains within the interior of the protein helps to minimize their unfavorable interactions with water molecules. This organization of water around the hydrophobic regions, along with the formation of favorable intramolecular interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, stabilizes the overall protein structure.
• Describe the role of hydrophobicity in the formation of biomolecular assemblies, such as cell membranes and lipid bilayers.
  • Hydrophobicity is a key factor in the self-assembly of biomolecules, such as the formation of cell membranes and lipid bilayers. Amphipathic molecules, like phospholipids, arrange themselves with their hydrophobic regions oriented inward and their hydrophilic regions oriented outward, in order to minimize unfavorable interactions with water. This spontaneous self-assembly, driven by the hydrophobic effect, is crucial for the formation and stability of these important biological structures.
• Analyze how the degree of hydrophobicity of an amino acid side chain influences its positioning within a protein structure and the overall stability of the protein.
  • The hydrophobicity of an amino acid side chain is a major determinant of its positioning within a protein structure. Highly hydrophobic side chains, such as those found in non-polar amino acids like valine, leucine, and isoleucine, tend to be buried within the interior of the protein, away from contact with water molecules. This burial of hydrophobic regions minimizes unfavorable interactions and is a key factor in stabilizing the overall protein structure through the hydrophobic effect. Conversely, hydrophilic or charged amino acid side chains are more likely to be located on the surface of the protein, where they can form favorable interactions with water and other polar groups.

Related terms

Hydrophilic: Describes a molecule or surface that is attracted to and interacts well with water, often due to the presence of polar or charged functional groups.

Amphipathic: Describes a molecule that has both hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions, allowing it to interact with both polar and non-polar environments.

Micelle: A self-assembled structure formed by amphipathic molecules, with the hydrophobic regions oriented inward and the hydrophilic regions oriented outward, in order to minimize contact with water.