Question

How would the pKa of Tyrosine's side-chain if it were buried in the hydrophobic core of an enzyme?

a. it would increase
b. it would decrease
c. it would remain the same
d. it does not have an ionizable sidechain
e. there is not enough information to judge

Answer 1

The pka of tyrosines's side chain would remain the same.

The answer is Letter C.

Step-by-step explanation:

Because the tyrosine is often called amphipathic due to its ability to have both polar and non-polar character. This residue is often found close to the surface of proteins. The -OH group of tyrosine is able both to donate and accept a hydrogen bond. In addition, the side chains of the tyrosine is also able to form weak hidrogen bonds of the types, OH -Π, and CH-O.

In other words, using electron clouds within it ring structure.