Question

To study how proteins fold, scientists must be able to purify the protein of interest, use solvents to denature the folded protein, and observe the process of refolding at successive time points. What is the effect of the solvents used in the denaturation process?

Answer 1

Answer: The solvents break all noncovalent interactions

Step-by-step explanation: Non-covalent interactions, i.e. bonds in proteins, are necessary because such bonds allow the binding of large molecules such as proteins. In order for a scientist to study how proteins fold, he must break all noncovalent interactions, and does so with the help of solvents. The protein is denatured by the solvent, and the scientist observes, i.e. studies the process of refolding.