Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biochemistry4h 34m
2. Water3h 23m
3. Amino Acids8h 10m
4. Protein Structure10h 4m
5. Protein Techniques14h 5m
6. Enzymes and Enzyme Kinetics13h 38m
7. Enzyme Inhibition and Regulation 8h 42m
8. Protein Function 9h 41m
9. Carbohydrates7h 49m
10. Lipids5h 49m
11. Biological Membranes and Transport 6h 37m
12. Biosignaling9h 45m
Review 1: Nucleic Acids, Lipids, & Membranes2h 47m
Review 2: Biosignaling, Glycolysis, Gluconeogenesis, & PP-Pathway3h 12m
Review 3: Pyruvate & Fatty Acid Oxidation, Citric Acid Cycle, & Glycogen Metabolism2h 26m
Review 4: Amino Acid Oxidation, Oxidative Phosphorylation, & Photophosphorylation1h 48m

4. Protein Structure

Denaturation

Biochemistry

4. Protein Structure

Denaturation

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Multiple Choice

How will brief heating to 95\(^{\circ}\)C affect macromolecular structures, such as proteins and nucleic acids, in an aqueous solution?

It will cause covalent bonds in the primary structure to break.

It will disrupt non-covalent interactions, leading to denaturation of the macromolecules.

It will strengthen hydrogen bonds, stabilizing the native structure.

It will have no significant effect on the structure of macromolecules.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the impact of heat on macromolecular structures: Heating macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids to 95°C in an aqueous solution primarily affects non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.

Recognize the concept of denaturation: Denaturation refers to the loss of the native structure of macromolecules due to the disruption of non-covalent interactions. This process does not involve breaking covalent bonds in the primary structure.

Analyze the effect on proteins: In proteins, heating to 95°C can cause the unfolding of the tertiary and secondary structures, as hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions are disrupted. The primary structure (sequence of amino acids) remains intact.

Analyze the effect on nucleic acids: For nucleic acids, such as DNA, heating to 95°C can lead to the separation of the double-stranded helix into single strands (denaturation) due to the disruption of hydrogen bonds between complementary bases.

Conclude the correct answer: Heating to 95°C disrupts non-covalent interactions, leading to denaturation of macromolecules. It does not strengthen hydrogen bonds, break covalent bonds in the primary structure, or leave the macromolecules unaffected.