I'm desperate and I cannot find the answer to this question....
As the name implies, globular proteiens tend to have a roundish, globular shape. What types of side chains might you expect to find on the amino acid residues that face the outside of a globular protein if it is primarily found in an aqueous environment in the body? What type of side chains might be found facing the inside?
Please HELP ASAP!!
To find the answer to your question, let's first understand the properties of amino acids and their side chains. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, and each amino acid has a unique side chain, also known as the R group. The side chain determines the chemical properties of the amino acid and its interaction with the surrounding environment.
In the case of globular proteins that are primarily found in an aqueous environment in the body, we can make some predictions about the side chains located on the outside and inside of the protein.
1. Side chains on the outside (solvent-exposed):
Since the protein is in an aqueous (water-based) environment, it is crucial for the side chains on the outside of the protein to be hydrophilic, meaning they have an affinity for water. Hydrophilic side chains allow the protein to be soluble and interact with the surrounding water molecules. Examples of hydrophilic side chains include those of amino acids like serine, threonine, lysine, arginine, asparagine, and glutamine.
2. Side chains on the inside (buried):
The interior of a globular protein is typically hydrophobic, meaning it repels water. This is because hydrophobic amino acid side chains prefer to be away from the water and interact with each other through a phenomenon called hydrophobic interactions. Therefore, the side chains facing the inside of the protein tend to be hydrophobic. Examples of hydrophobic side chains include those of amino acids like alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and tryptophan.
By analyzing the properties of the environment and the chemical nature of amino acid side chains, we can predict the types of side chains that would be found on the outside and inside of a globular protein primarily located in an aqueous environment in the body.
I hope this helps!