Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
The primary structure of an amino acid is based upon which of the following?
A
The interactions between multiple polypeptide subunits
B
The folding of the polypeptide into alpha-helices and beta-sheets
C
The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain
D
The arrangement of side chains in the three-dimensional space
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the concept of primary structure in proteins. The primary structure refers to the linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, connected by peptide bonds.
Step 2: Differentiate the primary structure from other levels of protein structure. For example, secondary structure involves folding into alpha-helices and beta-sheets, tertiary structure involves the three-dimensional arrangement of side chains, and quaternary structure involves interactions between multiple polypeptide subunits.
Step 3: Recall that the primary structure is determined by the genetic code and is the foundation for all higher levels of protein structure. The sequence of amino acids dictates how the protein will fold and function.
Step 4: Eliminate incorrect options by matching each description to its corresponding level of protein structure. For example, folding into alpha-helices and beta-sheets corresponds to secondary structure, not primary structure.
Step 5: Confirm that the correct answer is 'The linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain,' as this directly defines the primary structure of a protein.