Question

How do proteases function? Choose one:

A. by blocking the activity of ribosomes
B. by hydrolyzing peptide bonds between amino acids in a protein
C. by folding polypeptides into incorrect, abnormal three-dimensional structures
D. by folding polypeptides into correct three-dimensional structures
E. by forming peptide bonds between amino acids in a protein

Answer 1

Proteases hydrolyze peptide bonds between amino acids, breaking proteins into smaller peptides or amino acids, and play critical roles in digestion and other cellular processes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Proteases function by hydrolyzing peptide bonds between amino acids in a protein. This is effectively the breaking apart of the long polypeptide chains into smaller peptides or individual amino acids. Proteases such as pepsin, trypsin, elastase, and chymotrypsin are vital in digestion by breaking down the proteins into forms that can be more easily absorbed by the body. In addition, proteases are involved in numerous biological processes beyond digestion, including the removal of translated signal sequences, proper folding, proteolytic activation, and the chemical modification of proteins.

Different types of proteases have specific roles, such as aminopeptidase which cleaves amino acids from the free amino terminal end, and dipeptidase which acts on dipeptides. Furthermore, correct protein folding is essential for enzyme function, and improper folding can lead to diseases due to the denaturation of proteins. The activity of proteases is a critical aspect of understanding how proteins, the fundamental building blocks of cells, serve a myriad of functions within biological organisms based on their amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures.