Question

True or false:

In contrast to a small protein such as RNase (124 amino acids), on a very large protein of over 5,000 amino acids, a single amino acid change would not be expected to have much of an impact on the overall structure.

Answer 1

It is false that a single amino acid change in a large protein would not impact its structure; even one alteration can be significant, as demonstrated by hemoglobin in sickle cell anemia. The effects depend on the mutation's location and role within the protein.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that a single amino acid change in a very large protein of over 5,000 amino acids would not be expected to have much of an impact on the overall structure is generally false. Protein structure is highly precise, and even a single amino acid change can have significant effects. For instance, sickle cell anemia is caused by a single amino acid substitution in the hemoglobin protein, which dramatically alters the blood cell's shape and function. However, the impact of an amino acid change also depends on the location within the protein and its role in the protein's structure and function.

In proteins, both small and large, the sequence of amino acids determines how they fold into a unique three-dimensional structure, ultimately defining their function. If the mutated amino acid is in a crucial part of the protein, such as the active site or a binding site, the consequences can be significant regardless of the protein's size. In contrast, changes in less critical areas may have a minimal effect on protein function.