hydrophobic interactions

Hydrophobic interactions occur when non-polar molecules or parts of molecules avoid contact with water. Instead of attracting water molecules, these non-polar regions tend to cluster together to minimize their exposure to water, which is polar. This behavior is driven by the system’s tendency to increase entropy (disorder) and reduce unfavorable interactions with water. In biological systems, hydrophobic interactions help fold proteins into their functional shapes and organize cell membranes, playing a crucial role in maintaining the structure and function of living organisms.