Question

For the tertiary structure of proteins in an aqueous/polar environment, hydrophobic amino acids are located on the surface of the protein whereas non-polar amino acids are located in the interior. Let’s assume that the protein was normally in an environment with just the opposite composition, that is a non-polar, hydrophobic environment (for example liquid methane). What would the orientation of the polar and non-polar amino acids be? Explain.

Answer 1

For a tertiary structure of protein,

In aqueous or polar environment, The hydrophobic amino acids and non polar are loacted in the interior and the polar amino acids (hydrophilic) are located on the surface since the medium surrounding the protein is polar.

When the medium surrounding the protein is a non polar solution- methane,

The polar amino acids are loacted in the interior and the non polar and hydrophobic amino acids are  located on the surface since the medium surrounding the protein is non polar.