Biochemistry : Biochemistry

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Biochemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #21 : Protein Folding

The alpha helix is a type of secondary protein conformation. Which of the following amino acids can interfere the most with the formation of an alpha helix?

Possible Answers:

Proline

Lysine

Histidine

Threonine

Arginine

Correct answer:

Proline

Explanation:

Secondary structures in proteins consist of alpha helices and beta sheets. Proline has an additional amino group that interferes with the formation of an alpha helix. Amino acids such as lysine and arginine can form ionic bonds due to their charges. Other amino acids, like isoleucine, tryptophan, or valine disrupt the helix due to big side chains. However, amongst the amino acid mentioned in the answers, proline has the most disruptive effect.

Example Question #22 : Protein Folding

Which of the following are true of beta bends in protein structures?

I. Beta bends are secondary protein structures.

II. Beta bends consist of sequences of four amino acids.

III. In beta bends amino acids proline and glycine are common.

IV. Hydrogen and ionic bonds stabilize beta bends.

Possible Answers:

I, II, and IV

II and III

I and IV

I, II, III, and IV

I, II, and III

Correct answer:

I, II, III, and IV

Explanation:

Beta bends are part of secondary protein structures. They serve as a link between alpha helices and beta sheets. Beta bends are composed of proline and glycine, amino acids that usually are not found in alpha helices.

Example Question #23 : Protein Folding

Which of the following statements are true about motifs in a protein structure?

I. The most common motif is beta-alpha-beta, when an alpha helix connects two parallel strands of a beta sheet.

II. Motifs are usually composed of more than one form of secondary structure.

III. Motifs are supersecondary structures.

IV. Motifs are combinations of alpha helices and beta sheets.

Possible Answers:

III only

I and II

I, II, III, and IV 

I, II, and III

III and IV

Correct answer:

I, II, III, and IV 

Explanation:

Motifs are supersecondary protein structures. Motifs are combinations of secondary structures such as alpha helices and beta sheets.The beta-alpha-beta and the beta hairpin motifs are some of the most common.

Example Question #24 : Protein Folding

Which of the following are true of beta sheet structures in a protein?

I. Beta sheets are formed by one or multiple polypeptide chains.

II. Beta sheets are secondary structures in proteins. 

III. In a beta sheet, polypeptide strands can be parallel or antiparallel.

IV. In beta sheets hydrogen bonds connect polypeptide chains.

Possible Answers:

III and IV

I, II, III, and IV

I, II, and III

II and III

I and II

Correct answer:

I, II, III, and IV

Explanation:

A beta sheet (a secondary structure) has parallel strands when the N-terminal and C-terminal are in the same orientation for all the strands. When the orientation alternates between beta strands they are considered to be anti-parallel. Hydrogen bonds stabilize the structure between polypeptide strands.

Example Question #1 : Tertiary Structure

Which of the following statements are true about protein structure?

Possible Answers:

Disulfide bridges primarily maintain secondary structures, as opposed to tertiary

None of the other answers are true

pH does not change the charge of a protein

A protein’s function depends on its spatial conformation

All proteins have a quaternary structure

Correct answer:

A protein’s function depends on its spatial conformation

Explanation:

Not all proteins have a quaternary structure; quaternary structure refers to the arrangement and number of subunits, and not every protein has multiple subunits. Disulfide bonds make proteins less susceptible to unfolding; typically, they will link -sheets, -helices, and loops, which means that they primarily maintain tertiary structure, not secondary, which refers to local conformations, and is maintained largely by hydrogen bonds. Protein charges do change with pH; as a solution’s pH increases, acidic groups on proteins deprotonate. A protein’s function depends, however, very much on its spatial conformation. Its native conformation permits it to recognize and bind to specific molecules, and thus perform its specific function.

Example Question #1 : Tertiary Structure

Which of the following does not stabilize the tertiary structure of a protein?

Possible Answers:

Disulfide bonds

Hydrophobic interactions

Salt bridges

Amide bonds

Hydrogen bonds

Correct answer:

Amide bonds

Explanation:

Tertiary structure is stabilized by multiple interactions, specifically side chain functional groups which involve hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, covalent disulfide bonds, and hydrophobic interactions. Amide bonds do not contribute to the stability of a protein's secondary structure, rather, peptide bonds are amide bonds that stabilize a protein's primary structure..

Example Question #71 : Protein Structure And Functions

Formation of a disulfide bond is what type of reaction?

Possible Answers:

Glycosylation

Oxidation

 

Reduction

Correct answer:

Oxidation

Explanation:

During the formation of a disulfide bond, two free  groups lose their bond to hydrogen and form an  bond. This loss of bonds to hydrogen means it is an oxidation reaction. 

Example Question #71 : Macromolecule Structures And Functions

In a soluble protein that resides in the cytoplasm, where is the majority of the nonpolar amino acids found in its three-dimensional structure?

Possible Answers:

Localized to the N-terminus of the protein

On the surface of the protein

Localized to the C-terminus of the protein

Buried in the center of the protein

Randomly interspersed throughout to protein

Correct answer:

Buried in the center of the protein

Explanation:

In order for a protein to stay soluble in the cell, it needs to have a hydrophilic surface that can interact with water and and hydrophobic regions need to be contained in its center. Therefore polar, hydrophilic amino acids are mostly found on the surface of a protein's 3D structure while non polar hydrophobic residues are usually found on buried in the core of a proteins 3D structure.

Example Question #2 : Tertiary Structure

What is the overall folding of one protein subunit called?

Possible Answers:

Secondary structure

Tertiary structure

Quaternary structure

Primary structure

Correct answer:

Tertiary structure

Explanation:

Proteins are made of primary, secondary, tertiary, and sometimes quaternary structure. The primary structure of a protein involves the amino acid sequence in the polypeptide chain. The amino acids in this chain are held together by peptide bonds. The secondary structure of a protein involves the pattern of hydrogen bonds along the its peptide bond backbone, such as alpha helices and beta pleated sheets. The tertiary structure of a protein is the final specific shape of one subunit; this is determined by bonding interactions between the amino acid side chains. Some proteins consist of quaternary structure, which is the number and arrangement of multiple folded subunits.

Example Question #71 : Macromolecule Structures And Functions

Which of the following is not a component of tertiary structure?

Possible Answers:

Interactions between two or more sub-units

Hydrophobic interactions

Hydrogen bonds

Disulfide bonds

Ionic bonds

Correct answer:

Interactions between two or more sub-units

Explanation:

The tertiary structure of a protein is the three dimensional shape of the protein. Disulfide bonds, hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions all influence the shape a protein takes. Quaternary structure is the level that deals with multiple sub-units folding together. An example of quaternary structure is hemoglobin, composed of four sub-units. 

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