quaternary structure of a protein?

[monokekie]

Thye quaternary structure of a protein
a, consists of four subunits - hence called quaternary
b, is unrelated to the function of the protein
c, may be either alpha or beta
d, depends on covalent bonding among the subunits
e, depends on the primary structure of the subunits

the answer is e, and i just can't seem to come up with a proper explanation

can you help?

Thanks

[happyhappyland]

a) is wrong since it really just means more than one chain of amino acid so it doesnt have to be 4.
b) structure = function.. always
c) well alpha and beta refers heavily to secondary structures
d) there could be covalent bonds in tertiary structure
e) this is correct because quadternary structure refers to how many structures of the subunits (amino acids) there are in the protein complex. So if there is more than one primary structure then it would be quadternary.

[lexitu]

Its a pretty crap question. You shouldn't find that in a VCAA exam.

[monokekie]

a) is wrong since it really just means more than one chain of amino acid so it doesnt have to be 4.
b) structure = function.. always
c) well alpha and beta refers heavily to secondary structures
d) there could be covalent bonds in tertiary structure
e) this is correct because quadternary structure refers to how many structures of the subunits (amino acids) there are in the protein complex. So if there is more than one primary structure then it would be quadternary.

thanks Happy

Its a pretty crap question. You shouldn't find that in a VCAA exam.

I am doing uni bio ... haha

[Edmund]

The nature of the primary structure (how the amino acids are linked) affects the polypeptide. Since the quaternary structure of the protein is made up of two polypeptides (or even more), its structure would ultimately depend on the primary structure...

[monokekie]

Thanks Edmund!!!

[MangoPengy]

Sorry to ask this on your thread but I thought it would easier to ask here...


Is collagen part of quaternary or tertiary structure? Because in my book it says tertiary structure (globular-enzymes and fibrous-collagen) but I read somewhere else that it's actually quaternary structure that has the two types (i.e. globular/fibrous). Sorry, I'm getting so confused!

Thanks!

[alondouek]

Sorry to ask this on your thread but I thought it would easier to ask here...


Is collagen part of quaternary or tertiary structure? Because in my book it says tertiary structure (globular-enzymes and fibrous-collagen) but I read somewhere else that it's actually quaternary structure that has the two types (i.e. globular/fibrous). Sorry, I'm getting so confused!

Thanks!

Collagen is quaternary. It consists of three helices twisted into a single coil.

[MangoPengy]

Collagen is quaternary. It consists of three helices twisted into a single coil.

Thank-you.