Final answer:
True, misfolded proteins do cause numerous neurodegenerative diseases, as seen in the beta-amyloid plaques of Alzheimer's.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that misfolded proteins cause numerous neurodegenerative diseases is true. Proteins must fold into specific three-dimensional shapes to function properly, which is determined by the sequence of amino acids and their interactions. When this folding process is disturbed, resulting in misfolded proteins.
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease exemplify conditions linked to protein misfolding. For example, Alzheimer's disease features the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques, which are clumps of misfolded proteins, in the cerebral cortex.
While Parkinson's disease is associated with toxic accumulations of alpha-synuclein in the substantia nigra nucleus of the midbrain. The term 'proteopathy' describes diseases caused by wrongly folded proteins, suggesting a common underlying mechanism that presents potential therapeutic targets to slow down or prevent the progression of these diseases.