Hofmeister Group

The Hofmeister Group refers to a classification of ions based on their effects on the properties of solutions, particularly in terms of protein stability and solubility. It highlights how different ions can influence the behavior of biomolecules in water, impacting their structure and function. The group categorizes ions into "kosmotropic" ions, which stabilize proteins, and "chaotropic" ions, which disrupt their structures. Understanding these interactions is essential in fields like biochemistry and pharmaceutical science, as it helps in designing better drugs and understanding biological processes at the molecular level.