Question

Protein folding and lipid-bilayer formation result in decreased entropy for a protein molecule and bilayer components. The decrease in entropy is balanced by a large increase in the entropy of the surrounding ________.

Answer 1

The correct answer is - water molecules.

Explanation:

The formation of protein folding or lipid bilayer leads to the decrease in the entropy of the bilayer or protein components which is balanced by the large increase in the entropy of water molecules present around the protein or bilayer.

Nature of the protein folding plays an important role as these molecules are hydrophobic as they interact with the water molecules and water molecules become more ordered so the hydrogen bonding increase which ultimately increases in the entropy.

Thus, the correct answer is - water molecules.

Answer 2

The given blank can be filled with water molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

The diminished entropy in protein folding is counterpart by a huge enhancement in entropy of the surrounding of water molecules. The hydrophobic effect performs an essential function in protein folding. When protein associates with water, the molecule of water surrounding it become more aligned in order to upsurge their hydrogen bonding and thus there is a large increase in entropy.