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Properties, structure, and function of biological macromolecules

The image below depicts how the bacterial protein barnase undergoes modifications that involve changing its conformation, or shape. In order to function in the cell, barnase has to be folded from a nonfunctional conformation into a functional conformation.

Image credit: By Christopher Rowley [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons

Based on the information above, which of the following best describes the functional conformation of barnase?

(Choice A)
The functional conformation of barnase has a tertiary structure because it consists of a polypeptide chain folded into a three-dimensional shape.
(Choice B)
The functional conformation of barnase has a secondary structure because it consists of a single alpha-helix.
(Choice C)
The functional conformation of barnase has a primary structure because it consists of a linear chain of amino acids.
(Choice D)
The functional conformation of barnase has a quaternary structure because it consists of interactions between multiple polypeptide units.

AP®︎/College Biology

Course: AP®︎/College Biology > Unit 1

Problem