High School Biology : Proteins

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for High School Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Understanding Protein Folding

Hemoglobin is a oxygen-carrying protein present in red blood cells. Its structure is that of four subunits—two alpha units and two beta units. What level of structure is implicated in this description?

Possible Answers:

Primary structure

Tertiary structure

Quaternary structure

Secondary structure

Quintary structure

Correct answer:

Quaternary structure

Explanation:

There are four essential levels of protein structure. The fourth and final level is called quaternary structure. This level of structure is only present in proteins with multiple subunits. Since hemoglobin has four subunits, we know that the question is talking about the quaternary structure of the protein.

Primary structure is simply the amino acid sequence generated during translation. Soon after translation, the carboxyl and amino groups present in the polypeptide backbone begin to form hydrogen bonds. The result is the protein's secondary structure, frequently made of alpha-helices and beta-pleated sheets. Tertiary structure is the three-dimensional shape of the final polypeptide, and is derived from hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonds, and disulfide bonds related to the amino acid side chains (R groups). When multiple polypeptides (subunits) join together, they generate a quaternary structure.

Example Question #1 : Protein Structure

What must be true for a protein to have quaternary structure?

Possible Answers:

The protein must contain at least four polypeptide chains

The protein must contain at least two polypeptide chains

The protein must be found in the cytoplasm

The protein must be an enzyme

The protein must only have one polypeptide chain

Correct answer:

The protein must contain at least two polypeptide chains

Explanation:

Protein quaternary structure involves interactions between different subunits. Each subunit will be created by folding an independent polypeptide chain into a 3-dimensional tertiary structure. The joining of these independent subunits results in quaternary structure. In order for a protein to have quaterary structure, it must have multiple subunits; this means it must consists of at least two polypeptide chains.

Example Question #1 : Understanding Protein Folding

You closely analyze the disulfide bridges in a protein molecule.  In which phase of protein synthesis/structure would you first find these disulfide bridges? 

Possible Answers:

Secondary structure

Tertiary structure

RNA transcription

Primary structure

Quaternary structure

Correct answer:

Tertiary structure

Explanation:

The primary structure of a protein is the sequence of amino acids, which determines the unique shape of the protein.  The secondary structure consists of the coiled and folded patterns that contribute to the protein’s overall shape (alpha helix or beta pleated sheet respectively).  The tertiary structure is the overall shape of the polypeptide that results from interactions and hydrogen bonding between the side chains, or R groups, of the various amino acids present. It is during this stage of protein formation that disulfide bridges and hydrophobic interactions are first seen.  Last,the quaternary structure is the overall protein structure resulting from the aggregation of at least two polypeptide units. 

Example Question #21 : Proteins

Bob, a biologist who was researching a new eukaryotic unicellular species, wanted to study a particular protein Y. After obtaining and purifying the sample, Bob discovered that this protein had 3 subunits: A, B, and C. Through substantive scientific analysis, Bob discovered that protein Y operated in a membrane; however, he could not deduce which particular membrane. Nonetheless, Bob found that only subunit B was traversed through the interior of the membrane. With Bob’s findings, please answer the following questions.

What is the highest order of protein structure exhibited by Bob’s protein?

Possible Answers:

Primary

Quaternary

Tertiary

Pentane

Secondary

Correct answer:

Quaternary

Explanation:

The protein does possess primary, secondary, and tertiary structure but since the protein has three distinct subunits, the entire molecule is exhibiting a higher order quaternary structure. 

Example Question #131 : Dna, Rna, And Proteins

Val-Gly-Ser-Leu is an example of which level of protein structure? 

Possible Answers:

Tertiary structure

Auxiliary

Secondary structure 

Primary structure

Quatenary structure

Correct answer:

Primary structure

Explanation:

Primary structure refers to a linear sequence of amino acids in the polypeptide chain, such as the example in the question stem. Secondary structure has two main types, the alpha helix and the beta strand (or beta sheets). The alpha helix or beta sheets are folded into a compact globular structure to form the tertiary structure. Quaternary structure is a three-dimensional structure of a multi-subunit protein and how the subunits fit together. There is no such thing as auxiliary protein structure.

Example Question #132 : Dna, Rna, And Proteins

A peptide bond represents a connection between two __________.

Possible Answers:

amino acids

triglycerides

nucleotides

carbohydrates

Correct answer:

amino acids

Explanation:

A peptide bond is a covalent chemical bond formed between two amino acids. The process is known as a dehydration synthesis reaction (or a condensation reaction). It is named so because the synthesis of the peptide bond occurs when the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another amino acid, which releases one molecule of water.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Protein Folding

The primary structure of a protein is created by which type of bonds?

Possible Answers:

Hydrogen bonds

Peptide bonds

Van der Waals forces

Ionic interactions

Correct answer:

Peptide bonds

Explanation:

Peptide bonds are responsible for the primary structure of a protein (The primary structure of a protein is the linear sequence of its amino acids.) Further folding through hydrogen bonds and other forces are responsible for secondary, tertiary, and if applicable, quaternary structure.

Example Question #21 : Proteins

Which of the following types of amino acids would most likely be found in the center of eukaryotic globular proteins?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Polar amino acids

 

Hydrophobic amino acids

Hydrophilic amino acids

All of these

Correct answer:

Hydrophobic amino acids

Explanation:

Water is known as the “universal solvent.” Life could not exist on earth without water. Our bodies are mostly water; therefore, the environment of our cells is aqueous as well. Hydrophobic (“water fearing") amino acids would condense to "hide" from an aqueous environment. Polar and/or hydrophilic (“water loving”) amino acids would be found on the exterior of globular proteins near the aqueous environment. Hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity are major forces that drive the formation of the tertiary or three-dimensional shape of a protein post translation.

Example Question #11 : Protein Structure

In protein folding, secondary structures refer to which of the following?

Possible Answers:

Both alpha helices and beta sheets

The linear sequence of amino acids

Beta sheets only

Interactions between two or more polypeptide chains

Alpha helices only

Correct answer:

Both alpha helices and beta sheets

Explanation:

Primary structure of protein is the sequence of amino acids. Secondary structure is formed by hydrogen bonds between the peptide backbone which forms either alpha helices or beta sheets. Tertiary structure is dependent on side chains and the environment in which the protein is. Quaternary structure is conferred once bonds between two or more polypeptide chains are formed.

Example Question #22 : Proteins

In which of the following levels of protein structure will you find alpha-helices and beta-sheets? 

Possible Answers:

Tertiary

Primary

Secondary

Quaternary

Correct answer:

Secondary

Explanation:

Proteins have four levels of structure. Secondary structure involves the formation of alpha-helices and beta-sheets via hydrogen bonding between the amino acid backbone in the protein chain. 

Primary protein structure simply refers to the linear sequence of amino acid residues in the polypeptide chain. After initial folding of the backbone in secondary structure, functional groups of the amino acids interact to generate tertiary structure. Tertiary structure contains hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic interactions, and disulfide bridges. Some proteins then develop quaternary structure, when multiple polypeptide chains are joined as subunits to build a large protein complex. 

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