Final answer:
Gelatin contains water molecules as it is a colloid where water is an essential component of the mixture. The water molecules are tightly bound to the hydrophilic proteins in gelatin, and upon cooling, form a gel-like structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, gelatin does have water molecules in it. Gelatin desserts, such as Jell-O, are a form of colloid where a liquid phase, primarily water containing sweeteners and flavors, is dispersed throughout a solid protein medium. During the preparation of gelatin, when it is mixed with water, it absorbs the water and swells in size. This hydrophilic interaction leads to a shell of tightly bound water molecules around each particle of gelatin.
The particles within gelatin are hydrophilic due to the presence of polar or charged groups on the proteins' surface. As gelatin cools, it transforms from a hot aqueous mixture into a gel through coagulation, creating an extremely viscous body with water molecules entrapped within the three-dimensional network of protein fibers.
Additionally, proteins like those in gelatin are known to be hydrophilic, meaning they are water-loving. As these proteins are heated, they unfold, exposing hydrophobic groups that interact with each other and cause the protein to aggregate and precipitate from the solution, which is critical in the formation of the gel-like structure of cooled gelatin desserts.