Chapter 16, Problem 4SC

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The statement, “Proteins normally fold so that nonpolar R groups orient toward the interior of the protein,” is to be explained.

Concept introduction:

Amino acids are the repeating structural units in a protein molecule.

Amino acids consist of the amino group and the carboxylic acid group, which is bonded to the central carbon atom. The basic structure of an amino acid is as follows:

$\begin{array}{l}\text{ H }\hfill \\ \text{ |}\hfill \\ {\text{NH}}_2─\text{ C }─\text{ COOH}\hfill \\ \text{ |}\hfill \\ \text{ R}\hfill \end{array}$