Hydrophobic

Definition

Hydrophobic molecules repel water and do not dissolve in it. They are typically non-polar and interact well with other non-polar substances.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hydrophobic interactions play a key role in the formation of lipid bilayers, which are essential components of cell membranes.
2. Fatty acids, which are major components of lipids, have hydrophobic tails that help form hydrophobic cores in lipid structures.
3. Hydrophobicity affects protein folding and stability, as hydrophobic amino acid residues tend to cluster away from water.
4. Hydrophobic substances can pass through cell membranes more easily than hydrophilic substances due to their affinity for the lipid bilayer.
5. Detergents work by having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions, allowing them to interact with and break down lipids.

Review Questions

• Why are hydrophobic interactions important for the structure of cell membranes?
• How do hydrophobic molecules differ from hydrophilic molecules in terms of solubility?
• What role do hydrophobic amino acid residues play in protein structure?

Related terms

Lipid Bilayer:

A double-layered structure primarily composed of phospholipids that forms the core of cell membranes.

Amphipathic:

A molecule that has both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) parts.

Micelle: An aggregate of surfactant molecules dispersed in a liquid colloid where the hydrophilic heads face outward and the hydrophobic tails face inward.