Acheiver Test 1 OCHEM #87 (glycine question)

[STACM]

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On Acheiver Test 1 OCHEM #87 Im confused as to how glycine is soluble if it is known as one of the "hydrophobic" amino acids. So then would all amino acids be soluble in water?

 

[TarheelKid24]

As far as I know, all amino acids are soluble in polar solvents because they exist as zwitterions. However, it is the variable R groups that determines how soluble they will be...feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Hugh Mannity]

You may be confused in the aspect that glycine is nonpolar when in a polypeptide. As a single amino acid, the amino group of any single amino acid takes the proton from the carboxyl making is highly polar (called zwitterions like stated above). In a polypeptide it cannot accept anything because both ends become peptide bonds, and the side groups is what you look at for solubility.