Question

Changing a single amino acid in a protein consisting of 325 amino acids would...

1) alter the primary structure of the protein but not its tertiary structure or function.
2) always cause the tertiary structure of the protein to unfold.
3) always alter the biological activity or function of the protein.
4) always alter the primary structure of the protein and disrupt its biological activity.
5) always alter the primary structure of the protein, sometimes alter the tertiary structure of the protein, and sometimes affect its biological activity.

Answer 1

The correct response to the student's question is that changing a single amino acid in a protein can always alter the primary structure, and it may sometimes alter the tertiary structure and affect the protein's biological activity, as exemplified by sickle cell anemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

Changing a single amino acid in a protein consisting of 325 amino acids could have varying effects on the protein's structure and function.

The correct answer is: 5) always alter the primary structure of the protein, sometimes alter the tertiary structure of the protein, and sometimes affect its biological activity.

The primary structure, which is the unique sequence of amino acids, is always altered when a mutation occurs. Depending on the location and properties of the altered amino acid, the change can sometimes affect the tertiary structure, which is the protein's three-dimensional shape.

This is because the tertiary structure is stabilized by different types of bonds and interactions between the side chains of the amino acids that can be disrupted by such changes.