Final answer:
Chemical interactions, such as hydrophobic interactions, ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, and disulfide linkages, are among the strongest influences on protein folding. They determine the protein's final three-dimensional shape, which is critical for its function.
Step-by-step explanation:
One of the strongest influences on protein folding is chemical interactions, including hydrophobic interactions, ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, and disulfide linkages. These interactions determine the tertiary structure of proteins, which is their final three-dimensional shape. When a protein loses its three-dimensional shape, it may no longer be functional.