Suppose that the chemical make-up of a particular polypeptide chain was altered in a lab. Chemists altered each R group of an amino acid if it appeared as a methyl group and replaced it with a phenyl group. Which statement best describes the effect on protein structure and function?

The change will not have any effect on the protein structure.

The tertiary structure of the amino acid will be broken down due to depletion of the hydrogen bonding.

The higher-order protein structures will be different.

The secondary R groups will function as the primary R groups would have.

Question

Suppose that the chemical make-up of a particular polypeptide chain was altered in a lab. Chemists altered each R group of an amino acid if it appeared as a methyl group and replaced it with a phenyl group. Which statement best describes the effect on protein structure and function?
		
The change will not have any effect on the protein structure.
		
The tertiary structure of the amino acid will be broken down due to depletion of the hydrogen bonding.
		
The higher-order protein structures will be different.
		
The secondary R groups will function as the primary R groups would have.

anonymous · Answer

Sorry, can't really help with this one.  Maybe someone else can.

anonymous · Answer

yeah this ones a toughie

anonymous · Answer

They are both nonpolar and they both have lots of Hydrogens hanging out there, but a phenyl group is so much larger than a methyl.

anonymous · Answer

My best guess would be C, but I really don't know.

anonymous · Answer

your explanation does seem to conclude that c would be correct...