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Multiple Choice
What level of protein structure is primarily involved in the formation of an enzyme's active site?
A
Primary structure
B
Secondary structure
C
Quaternary structure
D
Tertiary structure
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the levels of protein structure: Proteins have four levels of structure - primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary. Each level contributes to the protein's overall shape and function.
Primary structure refers to the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain. This sequence is determined by the genetic code and is crucial for the protein's final shape.
Secondary structure involves local folding into structures such as α-helices and β-pleated sheets, stabilized by hydrogen bonds. These structures contribute to the protein's overall shape but do not form the active site.
Tertiary structure is the three-dimensional folding of a single polypeptide chain, resulting from interactions between the side chains of amino acids. This level of structure is crucial for forming the active site of enzymes, where substrate binding occurs.
Quaternary structure involves the assembly of multiple polypeptide chains into a functional protein complex. While important for some proteins, it is not primarily responsible for the formation of an enzyme's active site.