In a normal cellular protein, where would you expect to find a hydrophilic amino acid such as asparagine?

A. in the interior of the folded protein, away from waterB. in the transmembrane portion interacting with lipid fatty acid chainsC. on the exterior surface of the protein, interacting with water, or in a transmembrane portion interacting with lipid fatty acid chainsD. on the exterior surface of the protein, interacting with water

Question

Biology

Nigel Sanford

24 February, 18:09

In a normal cellular protein, where would you expect to find a hydrophilic amino acid such as asparagine?

A. in the interior of the folded protein, away from waterB. in the transmembrane portion interacting with lipid fatty acid chainsC. on the exterior surface of the protein, interacting with water, or in a transmembrane portion interacting with lipid fatty acid chainsD. on the exterior surface of the protein, interacting with water

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Answers (1)

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Tiffany Frey · Answer 1

D. on the exterior surface of the protein, interacting with water.

Explanation:

Hydrophilic: means 'water loving' or attracted to water.

Hydrophilic amino acids have polar side chains that can interact with other side chains through hydrogen bonding or ion-ion interaction or salt-bridges.

Asparagine: It's amide side chain, NH2, is polar and can hydrogen bond with water. It can act as a donor and an acceptor in hydrogen bonding. The fatty acid chains are made up of hydrocarbon chains and are hydrophobic, and would likely prefer to interact with each other rather than asparagine.