HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTIONS Meaning and
Definition
-
Hydrophobic interactions refer to the association or aggregation of nonpolar molecules or groups in an aqueous solution due to the exclusion of water molecules. The term "hydrophobic" comes from the Greek words "hydro" meaning water and "phobos" meaning fear, emphasizing the repulsion or aversion towards water.
In the context of chemistry and biology, hydrophobic interactions play a crucial role in the folding of proteins, the binding of small molecules to receptors, and the self-assembly of lipid bilayers. The driving force behind these interactions is the tendency of hydrophobic molecules to minimize their contact with water, which is highly polar and energetically unfavorable for nonpolar substances.
When hydrophobic molecules are present in an aqueous environment, water molecules reorganize themselves in a process called "hydration" to maximize hydrogen bonding interactions with each other, resulting in the formation of a highly ordered network of water molecules. As hydrophobic molecules enter this structured water network, the hydrogen bonding interactions are disrupted, leading to an increase in the system's entropy and a decrease in free energy. To minimize these unfavorable effects, hydrophobic molecules aggregate or get sequestered together, thereby reducing their exposure to water.
Overall, hydrophobic interactions are vital in various biological processes such as protein folding, enzyme-substrate interactions, and the formation of lipid membranes. Understanding the principles and mechanisms behind hydrophobic interactions is crucial for comprehending the behavior and functioning of biological systems and can also aid in the design of new drugs and materials.
Common Misspellings for HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTIONS
- gydrophobic interactions
- bydrophobic interactions
- nydrophobic interactions
- jydrophobic interactions
- uydrophobic interactions
- yydrophobic interactions
- htdrophobic interactions
- hgdrophobic interactions
- hhdrophobic interactions
- hudrophobic interactions
- h7drophobic interactions
- h6drophobic interactions
- hysrophobic interactions
- hyxrophobic interactions
- hycrophobic interactions
- hyfrophobic interactions
- hyrrophobic interactions
- hyerophobic interactions
- hydeophobic interactions
- hyddophobic interactions
Etymology of HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTIONS
The term "hydrophobic interactions" originates from the combination of two words: "hydrophobic" and "interactions".
1. Hydrophobic: The word "hydrophobic" comes from the combination of two Greek words: "hydro" meaning water and "phobos" meaning fear or aversion. It was first coined by the German chemist Hermann Schultze in 1873 to describe substances that repel or are difficult to dissolve in water. The term signifies the aversion or fear of water.
2. Interactions: The word "interactions" refers to the act of two or more objects or elements acting upon one another or influencing each other.
Therefore, "hydrophobic interactions" refers to the behavior or interactions between hydrophobic substances or regions that repel or are unable to mix with water.
