Water's role in biological catalysis?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the role of water in biological catalysis, particularly regarding why water is necessary for enzymatic functions and the implications of using different solvents. The scope includes theoretical and conceptual aspects of biological processes and catalysis.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the necessity of water in biological catalysis, expressing confusion over its importance.
  • Another participant suggests that biological processes evolved in aqueous environments, implying that while some processes could occur in other solvents, they would likely be less efficient due to water's unique properties.
  • A third participant explains that enzymes, as complex polymers, rely on the hydrophobic effect for proper folding, which may not occur in non-aqueous solutions, thus affecting their catalytic ability.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the necessity of water in biological catalysis, with some asserting its essential role while others suggest alternative solvents could be used, albeit less effectively. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the extent of water's necessity.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions regarding the efficiency of enzymatic reactions in non-aqueous environments that remain unexamined. The discussion does not clarify the specific properties of water that contribute to catalysis.

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Why is water required to be present in biological processes involving catalysis. I read that online and the way it was written made it look sort of obvious ( like, duh ) but I don't understand it. Help?
 
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All biological processes evolved in water solutions, so the presence of water is taken as granted. Doesn't mean some of them can't be replicated in different solvents, but I suppose they will be much slower, as water has very particular properties.
 
Biological catalysts (for the most part, enzymes) are complex polymers that must fold into a specific shape in order to perform their function. Much of the energy driving the folding of these polymers into the correct shape comes from the hydrophobic effect, which forces non-polar regions of the polymer toward the interior of the structure and polar regions toward the exterior. In non-aqueous solutions, these polymers will not fold correctly and therefore will not be able to catalyze any reactions.
 
Thanks guys.
 

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