In: Chemistry
Which amino acid is the most hydrophobic? (1pt)
Arginine
Aspartic Acid
Leucine
Serine
Tyrosine
LEUCINE is most hydrophobic among these amino acids.
Most protein molecules have a hydrophobic core, which is not accessible to solvent and a polar surface in contact with the environment (although membrane proteins follow a different pattern). While hydrophobic amino acid residues build up the core, polar and charged amino acids preferentially cover the surface of the molecule and are in contact with solvent due to their ability to form hydrogen bonds.
Hydrophobic amino acids are mostly buried within the core of the structure, a smaller fraction of polar groups are found to be buried. Charged residues are exposed to solvent to a much higher degree.