Final answer:
The phrase 'held together by hydrophobic bonds' is incorrect because hydrophobic interactions are not true bonds but forces that result from nonpolar molecules avoiding water, contributing to protein structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "held together by hydrophobic bonds" is technically incorrect because hydrophobic interactions are not actually bonds. These interactions are the result of nonpolar molecules or groups avoiding contact with water by aggregating together, which minimizes their surface area exposed to aqueous, polar environments. While they play a crucial role in the folding and stability of proteins, calling them 'bonds' is misleading as they do not involve the sharing or transfer of electrons like covalent or ionic bonds do.
Hydrophobic interactions are more accurately described as forces rather than bonds, and they occur because water molecules preferentially form hydrogen bonds with each other rather than with nonpolar substances. Consequently, proteins will fold in such a manner that their hydrophobic side chains are tucked away from the aqueous environment, contributing to the protein's tertiary structure.