Question

Functional groups confer specific chemical properties to molecules. Which functional group would you expect to find in a hydrophobic molecule?

A) Methyl group, -CH3
B) Amino group, -NH2
C) Hydroxyl group, -OH
D) Sulfhydryl group, -SH

Answer 1

In a hydrophobic molecule, you would expect to find a non-polar functional group like the methyl group (-CH3), which does not interact favorably with water and thus contributes to the molecule's hydrophobicity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Functional groups determine specific chemical properties of molecules and are either hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

A hydrophobic molecule will repel water, which is characteristic of non-polar substances.

The methyl group, represented by -CH3, is a non-polar group that is hydrophobic, making it a likely component of a hydrophobic molecule.

In contrast, polar functional groups like hydroxyl (-OH), amino (-NH2), and sulfhydryl (-SH) are hydrophilic as they can engage in hydrogen bonding with water, due to their polar nature.