The term describes a property of molecules or molecular surfaces that are repelled by water. These substances do not dissolve readily in water and tend to aggregate in aqueous solutions. A common example is the behavior of oil in water; oil molecules, being nonpolar, cluster together, minimizing their contact with the surrounding water molecules.
This characteristic is fundamental to many biological processes. It plays a critical role in the folding of proteins, the formation of cell membranes, and the transport of molecules within the body. Understanding this property is essential for comprehending how biological systems function at a molecular level. Historically, its recognition and characterization have led to significant advances in fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, and drug development.
