Practise IB Biology HL B1.2.5 by tracing how heat or extreme pH changes protein shape and function, including loss of alpha-helix content.
Proteins carry out many important functions in cells and in organisms.
Outline the process of protein denaturation.
change to conformation/shape/tertiary structure/3-D shape;
bonds within the protein/intramolecular bonds broken/changed;
pH and temperature (outside tolerated ranges) can cause denaturation;
vibrations/heat at high temperatures breaks bonds;
high pH/low pH/extreme pH alters ionization/charges (of amino acids and breaks ionic bonds);
protein cannot carry out its function
OR
active site of enzymes cannot bind substrates/catalyze reaction/no enzyme-substrate complex;
permanent/irreversible change (usually)
OR
soluble proteins become insoluble/precipitate;