Final answer:
The sequence of nucleotides within a gene most accurately predicts the primary structure of a protein, which is the linear sequence of amino acids. Higher-level protein structures, such as secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures, are influenced by this sequence but also by other factors like cellular environment, making them less directly predictable.
Step-by-step explanation:
If you know the sequence of nucleotides within a gene, the one thing you can determine with the most accuracy is the primary structure of a protein. The primary structure refers to the linear sequence of amino acids encoded by the nucleotide sequence (typically in mRNA, translated from the DNA sequence of a gene). This sequence dictates the arrangement of amino acids that will be synthesized during protein translation, ensuring that a specific set of amino acids is linked together in a particular order. This sequence is fundamental to the function and structure of the protein, serving as the basis for the subsequent folding and efficient functioning of the protein.
On the other hand, the secondary structure arises from local folding of the polypeptide chain into structures like the alpha-helix and beta-pleated sheet, but this level of structure can be influenced by factors other than the primary sequence such as protein folding conditions. The tertiary structure is the three-dimensional configuration of a protein, often stabilized by various types of interactions like hydrophobic packing, hydrogen bonding, disulfide bridges, and ionic interactions, and can be difficult to predict solely from the nucleotide sequence. Finally, the quaternary structure involves the arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains or subunits and is even further removed from direct determination by the primary sequence.
In summary, although the primary sequence lays the foundation for protein structure, complex interactions in the cell determine the higher-level structures (secondary, tertiary, and quaternary) and their biological functions. As such, while the function of the protein is ultimately dictated by its shape at all levels of structure, alterations in the primary structure can lead to changes in the other levels, potentially impacting the protein's function.