Is serine hydrophobic?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the properties of the amino acid serine, specifically whether it is hydrophobic or not. This involves understanding the chemical structure of serine and its interactions with water.
Answer
No, serine is hydrophilic.
The final answer is No, serine is hydrophilic.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is No, serine is hydrophilic.
More Information
Serine is classified as a polar amino acid due to its side chain, which includes a hydroxyl group capable of forming hydrogen bonds, making it hydrophilic.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume serine is hydrophobic because its side chain contains hydrocarbons. However, the polar hydroxyl group makes it hydrophilic.
Sources
- Hydrophobic and Polar Amino Acids - .chem.wisc.edu
- Difference between Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Amino Acids - BYJU's - byjus.com
- IMGT classes of the 20 common amino acids - imgt.org