Question

an experiment was conducted in which a purified protein from the body was exposed to a solution high in urea, and its tertiary structure was lost. when it was removed from the solution, the protein regained its original structure. which of the following describes what is occurring when the protein is exposed to the solution high in urea?

Answer 1

When the protein is exposed to a solution high in urea, it undergoes denaturation. Denaturation is reversible, and the protein can regain its original structure when removed from the urea solution.

Step-by-step explanation:

Protein denaturation is the alteration of a protein's structure, causing loss of its biological activity, typically due to changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to certain chemicals. The protein unfolds, disrupting its three-dimensional shape and destroying its function. Denaturation is often reversible if the conditions return to normal, but extensive denaturation may lead to permanent protein damage and loss of function.

When the protein is exposed to a solution high in urea, it undergoes denaturation. Denaturation refers to the loss of the secondary and tertiary structures of the protein while the primary structure remains intact. Denaturation is reversible, which means that when the protein is removed from the urea solution, it can regain its original structure through a process called renaturation.