Editing Solvation (section)

==Macromolecules and assemblies==

Solvation (specifically, [[hydrate|hydration]]) is important for many biological structures and processes. For instance, solvation of ions and/or of charged macromolecules, like [[DNA]] and proteins, in aqueous solutions influences the formation of heterogeneous assemblies, which may be responsible for biological function.<ref>{{cite journal |author=A. Chremos|author2=J. F. Douglas |title=Polyelectrolyte association and solvation|journal= The Journal of Chemical Physics|volume=149 |issue=16 |pages=163305|year=2018|doi=10.1063/1.5030530|pmid=30384680 |pmc=6217855 |bibcode=2018JChPh.149p3305C }}</ref> As another example, [[protein folding]] occurs spontaneously, in part because of a favorable change in the  interactions between the protein and the surrounding water molecules. Folded proteins are stabilized by 5-10 kcal/mol relative to the [[Random coil|unfolded state]] due to a combination of solvation and the [[Enthalpy of fusion|stronger intramolecular interactions in the folded protein structure]], including [[H-bonds|hydrogen bonding]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1= Pace |first1=CN|last2=Shirley |first2=BA|last3=McNutt |first3=M|last4=Gajiwala |first4=K | year = 1996 | title = Forces contributing to the conformational stability of proteins | journal = FASEB Journal | volume = 10 | issue = 1| pages = 75–83 | pmid = 8566551 | doi = 10.1096/fasebj.10.1.8566551 |doi-access=free | s2cid = 20021399 }}</ref> Minimizing the number of [[hydrophobic]] side chains exposed to water by burying them in the center of a folded protein is a driving force related to solvation.

Solvation also affects [[Host–guest chemistry|host–guest complexation]]. Many host molecules have a hydrophobic pore that readily encapsulates a hydrophobic guest. These interactions can be used in applications such as drug delivery, such that a hydrophobic drug molecule can be delivered in a biological system without needing to covalently modify the drug in order to solubilize it. Binding constants for [[Inclusion compound|host–guest complexes]] depend on the polarity of the solvent.<ref>Steed, J. W. and Atwood, J. L. (2013) Supramolecular Chemistry. 2nd ed. Wiley. {{ISBN|1118681509}}, 9781118681503.</ref>

Hydration affects electronic and vibrational properties of biomolecules.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Mashaghi Alireza | display-authors = etal | year = 2012| title = Hydration strongly affects the molecular and electronic structure of membrane phospholipids | journal = J. Chem. Phys. | volume = 136 | issue = 11| page = 114709 | doi = 10.1063/1.3694280 | pmid = 22443792 | bibcode = 2012JChPh.136k4709M | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | author = Bonn Mischa | display-authors = etal | year = 2012 | title = Interfacial Water Facilitates Energy Transfer by Inducing Extended Vibrations in Membrane Lipids | journal = J Phys Chem | volume = 116| issue = 22| pages = 6455–6460| doi = 10.1021/jp302478a | pmid = 22594454 | citeseerx = 10.1.1.709.5345 }}</ref>