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Multiple Choice
If a part of a protein becomes damaged, which process is most likely to occur as a result?
A
Denaturation, leading to loss of the protein's native structure and function
B
Hydrolysis, resulting in the breakdown of the protein into amino acids
C
Glycosylation, leading to the attachment of carbohydrate groups to the protein
D
Phosphorylation, causing the addition of a phosphate group to the protein
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the context of the problem. Proteins are complex macromolecules that perform a wide range of functions in the cell. Their functionality is highly dependent on their three-dimensional structure, which is maintained by various types of bonds and interactions.
Step 2: Analyze the options provided. Denaturation refers to the loss of a protein's native structure due to external factors like heat, pH changes, or chemical damage. Hydrolysis involves breaking peptide bonds, resulting in amino acids. Glycosylation and phosphorylation are post-translational modifications that alter protein function but do not directly result from damage.
Step 3: Consider the impact of damage to a protein. Damage typically disrupts the protein's structure, leading to denaturation. Denaturation causes the protein to lose its functional shape, rendering it inactive. This is distinct from hydrolysis, which breaks the protein into its building blocks.
Step 4: Eliminate options that are less likely to occur due to damage. Glycosylation and phosphorylation are specific enzymatic processes that modify proteins under controlled conditions, not as a direct result of damage.
Step 5: Conclude that denaturation is the most likely process to occur when a protein is damaged, as it directly affects the protein's structure and function without breaking it down into amino acids or modifying it chemically.