Question

Which of the following is the best reason to assume that killing bacteria with heat will be more disruptive to proteins than DNA?

A. Proteins are larger molecules than DNA.
B. Proteins are more sensitive to denaturation than DNA.
C. DNA has a higher heat capacity than proteins.
D. Proteins have a more stable secondary structure than DNA.

Answer 1

The best reason to assume that killing bacteria with heat will be more disruptive to proteins than DNA is because proteins are more sensitive to denaturation than DNA.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best reason to assume that killing bacteria with heat will be more disruptive to proteins than DNA is because proteins are more sensitive to denaturation than DNA.

Denaturation is a process in which a protein loses its shape and structure, rendering it unable to carry out its function. Proteins are composed of complex three-dimensional structures held together by chemical interactions. Heat can disrupt the weak bonds in proteins, causing them to become denatured. DNA, on the other hand, is more stable and resistant to heat-induced denaturation.

Additionally, not all proteins denature at high temperatures. Bacteria that survive in hot springs have proteins that are specifically adapted to function at those temperatures.