HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTION Meaning and
Definition
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Hydrophobic interaction refers to a non-covalent interaction between molecules or nonpolar regions of molecules in aqueous solutions. It arises due to the exclusion of water molecules from hydrophobic (water-repelling) regions or surfaces, resulting in the aggregation or association of hydrophobic molecules or groups.
Water molecules have strong adhesive forces and preferentially interact with each other, forming a network of hydrogen bonds. However, hydrophobic molecules or regions lack the ability to form extensive hydrogen bonds with water, causing water molecules to organize themselves around the hydrophobic region to minimize interaction. This water rearrangement gives rise to an entropy-driven energy gain.
In aqueous solutions, hydrophobic interaction plays a crucial role in the structure, stability, and function of biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and lipid membranes. Hydrophobic interactions can lead to the folding of proteins into their native conformations, the association of lipid molecules to form membranes, and the aggregation of nonpolar molecules into micelles or other nonpolar assemblies.
The strength of hydrophobic interaction depends on the hydrophobicity of the interacting molecules and the surrounding aqueous environment. Increasing the size or hydrophobicity of the nonpolar region generally enhances hydrophobic interactions. Additionally, temperature, salt concentration, and pH can influence hydrophobic interaction strength by altering the properties of water or the molecular surfaces involved.
In summary, hydrophobic interaction refers to the attractive forces between nonpolar molecules or regions caused by the exclusion of water molecules. It is an essential phenomenon in biochemistry, affecting the behavior and structure of biomolecules in aqueous environments.
Common Misspellings for HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTION
- gydrophobic interaction
- bydrophobic interaction
- nydrophobic interaction
- jydrophobic interaction
- uydrophobic interaction
- yydrophobic interaction
- htdrophobic interaction
- hgdrophobic interaction
- hhdrophobic interaction
- hudrophobic interaction
- h7drophobic interaction
- h6drophobic interaction
- hysrophobic interaction
- hyxrophobic interaction
- hycrophobic interaction
- hyfrophobic interaction
- hyrrophobic interaction
- hyerophobic interaction
- hydeophobic interaction
- hyddophobic interaction
Etymology of HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTION
The word "hydrophobic" is derived from the combination of two Greek terms: "hydro" meaning water and "phobos" meaning fear or aversion. The term "hydrophobic" was first used in the 19th century to describe substances that repel or do not dissolve in water.
The term "interaction" comes from the Latin word "interactio", which means action or mutual influence between two or more things. In the context of hydrophobic interaction, it refers to the physical process of nonpolar molecules or regions in molecules associating with each other due to their aversion to water.
Therefore, the etymology of "hydrophobic interaction" comes from the combination of the Greek term for water aversion and the Latin term for mutual influence or action.
