Which one of the following statements about denaturation is correct?
Denaturation
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 21 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 21
Which one of the following statements about denaturation is correct?
Denaturation
A. can only be caused by changes in temperature or the addition of acids.
B. causes... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Which one of the following statements about denaturation is correct?
Denaturation
A - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 21 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
A. can only be caused by changes in temperature or the addition of acids.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect. Denaturation can be caused not only by temperature changes and acid but also by other factors such as changes in pH, mechanical stress, and exposure to certain chemicals.
Step 2
B. causes the reversible change of a protein’s shape.
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Answer
This statement is misleading. While some denaturation processes may be reversible, denaturation typically results in a permanent loss of function as the protein's structure is altered significantly.
Step 3
C. hydrolyses the primary structure of a protein.
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Answer
This statement is incorrect. Hydrolysis refers to the breaking of peptide bonds, which is not the same as denaturation. Denaturation affects the higher-order structures of proteins without breaking peptide bonds.
Step 4
D. alters the secondary structure of a protein.
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Answer
This statement is correct. Denaturation primarily affects the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins, disrupting hydrogen bonds and other interactions that maintain these structures.
