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Multiple Choice
Which type of bonding is primarily responsible for stabilizing the primary structure of a protein?
A
Disulfide bonds
B
Hydrogen bonds
C
Ionic bonds
D
Peptide bonds
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the primary structure of a protein. The primary structure refers to the linear sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, which is determined by the genetic code.
Step 2: Recall the type of bond that links amino acids together. Amino acids are connected by peptide bonds, which are covalent bonds formed during a dehydration reaction between the carboxyl group of one amino acid and the amino group of another.
Step 3: Differentiate peptide bonds from other types of bonds mentioned in the problem. Disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds, and ionic bonds are involved in stabilizing higher levels of protein structure (secondary, tertiary, or quaternary), but they do not stabilize the primary structure.
Step 4: Recognize that peptide bonds are the backbone of the primary structure. These bonds create the polypeptide chain, which serves as the foundation for all higher-order structures of the protein.
Step 5: Conclude that peptide bonds are the correct answer because they are the primary stabilizing force for the linear sequence of amino acids in the primary structure of a protein.