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

When a protein is denatured, which of the following is primarily altered?

Its primary amino acid sequence

Its secondary and tertiary structure

The covalent bonds within peptide backbones

The number of amino acids in the protein

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of protein denaturation: Denaturation refers to the process where a protein loses its native structure due to external factors like heat, pH changes, or chemicals. This process primarily affects the protein's secondary and tertiary structures, which are held together by non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.

Clarify the primary structure: The primary structure of a protein is its linear sequence of amino acids connected by peptide bonds. Denaturation does not break these covalent bonds, so the primary structure remains intact.

Examine the secondary structure: The secondary structure includes alpha-helices and beta-sheets formed by hydrogen bonding between the backbone atoms. Denaturation disrupts these hydrogen bonds, altering the secondary structure.

Analyze the tertiary structure: The tertiary structure is the three-dimensional folding of the protein, stabilized by interactions between side chains. Denaturation disrupts these interactions, leading to the loss of the protein's functional shape.

Conclude the answer: Based on the explanation, denaturation primarily alters the secondary and tertiary structures of a protein, while the primary structure and covalent bonds within the peptide backbone remain unaffected.