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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements best describes enzymes in terms of their protein structure?
A
Enzymes are globular proteins that exhibit at least tertiary structure.
B
Enzymes are always fibrous proteins with only primary structure.
C
Enzymes are linear polypeptides lacking any secondary structure.
D
Enzymes are exclusively quaternary structure proteins.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of enzymes: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. They are typically proteins, and their structure is crucial for their function.
Review protein structure levels: Proteins have four levels of structure—primary (sequence of amino acids), secondary (alpha-helices and beta-sheets formed by hydrogen bonding), tertiary (three-dimensional folding due to interactions like hydrophobic interactions, ionic bonds, and disulfide bridges), and quaternary (assembly of multiple polypeptide chains).
Identify the structural characteristics of enzymes: Enzymes are globular proteins, meaning they are compact and spherical in shape. They exhibit at least tertiary structure, which is essential for forming the active site where substrate binding occurs.
Eliminate incorrect options: Fibrous proteins are structural proteins (e.g., collagen) and are not enzymes. Linear polypeptides lack secondary and tertiary structures, which are necessary for enzyme activity. Quaternary structure is not exclusive to enzymes; some enzymes may have quaternary structure, but not all.
Conclude the correct description: Based on the structural requirements for enzyme function, the correct statement is that enzymes are globular proteins that exhibit at least tertiary structure.