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Multiple Choice
Which level of protein structure is primarily stabilized by hydrogen bonds?
A
Secondary structure
B
Tertiary structure
C
Primary structure
D
Quaternary structure
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the four levels of protein structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
The primary structure of a protein is the sequence of amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
The secondary structure refers to local folded structures that form within a polypeptide due to interactions between atoms of the backbone. The most common types are alpha helices and beta sheets, which are primarily stabilized by hydrogen bonds.
The tertiary structure is the overall three-dimensional structure of a single protein molecule, stabilized by various interactions including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, disulfide bridges, and hydrophobic interactions.
The quaternary structure is the structure formed by several protein molecules, usually called protein subunits, which function as a single protein complex. It is stabilized by the same types of interactions as tertiary structure, including hydrogen bonds.