Question

b. Imagine an unusual life form in which the N atom in an amino acid is changed to a C atom. Could a hydrogen bond in this unusual alpha helix occur? Why or why not?

Answer 1

Answer: No hydrogen bond cannot occur in this alpha helix structure.

Explanation: For hydrogen bond to form, the electronegativity difference should be more than 1.7. carbon has an electronegativity of 2.5 whereas hydrogen has 2.1 so their electronegativity difference is 0.3. So in this alpha helix structure cannot occur.