HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTIONS IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS: THEIR OPERATION IN LIVING SYSTEMS

✍ Scribed by Viktor Gutmann; Gerhard Resch

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1997
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 87 KB
• Volume: 10
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0894-3230
• DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1395(199705)10:5<335::aid-poc880>3.0.co;2-d

✦ Synopsis

Evidence is provided for the enormous role of hydrophobic interactions in aqueous solutions. It is concluded that complementary functions of hydrophilic and of hydrophobic species are in continuous operation and that these are a conditio sine qua non for the existence of the liquid. With regard to the supermolecular aggregations, hydrophobic interactions are operative on the highest hierarchic levels of the system organization, i.e. at the interface and at the holes around dissolved hydrophobic species. It is further emphasized that water is essential both for the unity and for the differentiation of each living organism. With regard to its role for the differentiation of the body, the hydrophobic interactions are of paramount importance, notably those provided by amphipathic solutes. The cell membrane is considered to be the result of interactions between the highest hierarchic levels of intracellular and extracellular water. The hydrophobic double layer provides the barriers for the separation of intracellular and extracellular water and at the same time the connections for recognition and for exchange of information between them. The DNA structures obtain conservative boundary conditions for their surrounding water systems which do not freeze at Ϫ 60 °C. These water systems are dynamically superior to all other parts of the water system of the organism. It is suggested that more knowledge about the abilities of liquid water can be obtained by giving appropriate attention to its properties within the living body.