Question

What primarily determines the secondary and tertiary structures of a protein?

1) Primary structure
2) Secondary structure
3) Tertiary structure
4) Quaternary structure

Answer 1

The primary structure of a protein, its amino acid sequence, dictates the secondary and tertiary structures. Secondary structures are local configurations like helices and sheets, leading to the tertiary structure, the overall 3D shape critical for protein function.

Step-by-step explanation:

The primary structure of a protein, which is the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain, primarily determines the secondary and tertiary structures of a protein. The secondary structure refers to localized configurations in the polypeptide chain, such as α-helix, betahelix, and β-pleated sheets. The tertiary structure is the overall three-dimensional shape of the protein that results from interactions such as hydrogen bonding, disulfide linkages, ionic bonding, and hydrophobic interactions, which dictate the protein's biological function.