Entropic contributions to folding Flashcards
(3 cards)
1
Q
What is protein folding driven by?
A
balance of enthalpic and entropic changes
2
Q
What is conformational entropy?
A
as protein folds, it has a more ordered structure, which decreases this entropy
- the loss is offset by other entropic gains
3
Q
what is solvent entropy?
A
hydrophobic effect plays a critical role; hydrophobic side chains cluster together in interior of protein and water molecules structures around hydrophobic residues are released into bulk solvent
- The release increases entropy of surrounding water molecules, which is the driving force for the folding process
