Which of the following statements is true about the secondary structur...
The alpha-helix is a common secondary structure in proteins, characterized by a right-handed coiled arrangement of the polypeptide chain. Secondary structure is primarily determined by hydrogen bonding between the backbone atoms of the amino acids.
Which of the following statements is true about the secondary structur...
Introduction:
The secondary structure of proteins refers to the local folding patterns that occur within a polypeptide chain. These structures are stabilized by hydrogen bonding interactions between the backbone atoms of the amino acids. There are two main types of secondary structures: the alpha-helix and the beta-sheet.
Explanation:
The alpha-helix is an example of a secondary structure:
Option A is correct because the alpha-helix is indeed an example of a secondary structure. In an alpha-helix, the polypeptide chain adopts a helical conformation, with hydrogen bonds formed between the carbonyl oxygen of one amino acid and the amide hydrogen of an amino acid four residues down the chain. This stabilizes the helical structure.
Secondary structure is determined by the linear sequence of amino acids:
Option B is incorrect because the linear sequence of amino acids determines the primary structure of a protein, not the secondary structure. The primary structure refers to the specific order of amino acids in a protein, while the secondary structure refers to the folding patterns that occur within the polypeptide chain.
Secondary structure involves the formation of disulfide bonds:
Option C is incorrect. Disulfide bonds are not involved in the formation of secondary structure. Disulfide bonds, which are covalent bonds formed between two cysteine residues, stabilize the tertiary structure of a protein.
The secondary structure determines the three-dimensional folding of a protein:
Option D is incorrect. While the secondary structure provides some local folding patterns within a protein, the overall three-dimensional folding of a protein is determined by its tertiary structure. The tertiary structure is influenced by various factors such as hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, disulfide bonds, and electrostatic interactions.
Conclusion:
In summary, the correct statement about the secondary structure of proteins is that the alpha-helix is an example of a secondary structure. The secondary structure is not determined by the linear sequence of amino acids, does not involve the formation of disulfide bonds, and does not determine the three-dimensional folding of a protein.