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Multiple Choice

Which of the following amino acids is nonpolar (hydrophobic)?

Polarity of the side chain determines whether an amino acid behaves as hydrophobic or hydrophilic in water. Glycine has the simplest side chain—just a hydrogen atom—so it lacks polar groups and is nonpolar, tending to be hydrophobic. The other three have polar or charged groups: serine has a hydroxyl that makes it polar; lysine carries a positively charged amine; aspartic acid has a negatively charged carboxylate. These features make them hydrophilic. So glycine is the nonpolar, hydrophobic choice.

Polarity of the side chain determines whether an amino acid behaves as hydrophobic or hydrophilic in water. Glycine has the simplest side chain—just a hydrogen atom—so it lacks polar groups and is nonpolar, tending to be hydrophobic. The other three have polar or charged groups: serine has a hydroxyl that makes it polar; lysine carries a positively charged amine; aspartic acid has a negatively charged carboxylate. These features make them hydrophilic. So glycine is the nonpolar, hydrophobic choice.