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Multiple Choice
The overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide is called its __________.
A
double helix
B
primary structure
C
secondary structure
D
quaternary structure
E
tertiary structure
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the levels of protein structure: Proteins have four levels of structure - primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
Primary structure refers to the sequence of amino acids in a polypeptide chain.
Secondary structure involves local folding into structures such as alpha helices and beta sheets, stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
Tertiary structure is the overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide chain, formed by interactions between side chains (R groups) of amino acids.
Quaternary structure involves the assembly of multiple polypeptide chains into a functional protein complex.