Question

If a protein contains 200 peptide bonds, how many molecules of water do you suppose would be required to break it down into its amino acids?

a. 100 molecules
b. 199 molecules
c. 200 molecules
d. 201 molecules

Answer 1

To break down a protein with 200 peptide bonds into amino acids, 200 molecules of water are required, as it takes one water molecule to hydrolyze each peptide bond. The answer is 200 molecules.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine how many molecules of water are required to break down a protein into its amino acids, we must understand the process of breaking peptide bonds. This process is the reverse of dehydration synthesis, called hydrolysis, where water is used to break bonds. A reaction forming a peptide bond between two amino acids results in the release of one molecule of water. Therefore, to break a peptide bond through hydrolysis, one molecule of water is required.

If a protein contains 200 peptide bonds, it would require one water molecule to break each one. Consequently, to break down the entire protein into individual amino acids, you would need an equivalent number of water molecules as there are peptide bonds. Thus, the correct answer is 200 molecules of water.