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Eat-A-Torus OP t1_jc232er wrote

Reply to comment by slashdave in What exactly is going on when a protein (or other molecule) binds with a receptor? by Eat-A-Torus

how are they solid? I thought most of a molecule is empty space, with little bits of solids protons/neutrons in the nucleuses, and the electrons diffused in a cloud around them?

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slashdave t1_jc2e8px wrote

Atoms repel each other quite strongly using what is described as "Van der Waals" forces (electrostatic in nature). The length of bonds between atoms are relatively inflexible and keep bonded atoms close enough to prevent other atoms from slipping between.

For example, proteins often fold around and trap water molecules within their structure. Many of these water molecules remain trapped until the protein decays.

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