Question

how could you change this molecule to make it soluble in the hydrophobic region of the cell membrane? select all that apply.

replace the o in box 1 with two ch₃ groups
replace the h in box 2 with a ch₃ group
replace the o in box 1 with ohs
replace the o in box 1 with hs
no changes needed, this molecule is already soluble in the cell membrane.
replace the h in box 2 with an oh

incorrect

• changing the h to a ch₃ replaces a non - polar bond with non - polar bonds so it does not change the hydrophobicity of the molecule.

Explanation:

• The cell membrane's hydrophobic region interacts well with non - polar molecules.
• The original molecule has a polar carbonyl group (C = O) at position 1. Replacing the O in box 1 with two \(CH_3\) groups (non - polar) or with Hs (non - polar) makes the molecule more non - polar.
• Replacing the H in box 2 with a \(CH_3\) group (both H and \(CH_3\) are non - polar, so it doesn't disrupt the non - polarity needed for the hydrophobic region). Replacing with an OH (polar) or having O in box 1 as OH (polar) would make the molecule more polar (bad for hydrophobic region). The molecule as shown (with polar C = O) is not already soluble in the hydrophobic region.

Answer:

• Replace the O in box 1 with two \(CH_3\) groups
• Replace the H in box 2 with a \(CH_3\) group
• Replace the O in box 1 with Hs