Does Serine Have a Hydrophilic Side Chain?
Serine, classified as a polar amino acid, possesses a hydroxyl (-OH) group attached to its side chain. Due to the presence of this hydrophilic functional group, which readily forms hydrogen bonds with water, serine exhibits a strong affinity for water molecules. As a result, serine is commonly found in the hydrophilic regions of proteins, contributing to their solubility and their interactions with the aqueous environment.
