JEE Main 20265 AprilEvening Shift
- Exam
- JEE Main
- Year
- 2026
- Date
- 5 April
- Shift
- Evening Shift
- Subject
- Chemistry
- Chapter
- Biomolecules
JEE Main 2026 · 5 April · Evening Shift · Chemistry · Biomolecules
Identify the incorrect statement about tertiary structure of...
Identify the incorrect statement about tertiary structure of proteins.
Options
- AThey can be fibrous or globular in structure.
- BThe main forces that stabilize the structure are hydrogen bonding, disulphide links, van der Waals and electrostatic forces of attraction.
- CThe structure remains intact when exposed to pH changes.
- DA linear polypeptide chain will convert to a secondary structure and then further folding of the secondary structure will convert to tertiary structure.
Correct answer
C. The structure remains intact when exposed to pH changes.
Step-by-step solution
The tertiary structure of proteins represents the overall folding of the polypeptide chains, which is the further folding of the secondary structure. This folding gives rise to two major molecular shapes: fibrous and globular.
The main forces that stabilize the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins are hydrogen bonds, disulphide linkages, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic forces of attraction.
When a protein in its native form is subjected to physical changes like temperature or chemical changes like pH, the hydrogen bonds and other stabilizing forces are disturbed. Due to this, globules unfold and the helix gets uncoiled, causing the protein to lose its biological activity. This process is called denaturation of the protein. Thus, the tertiary structure does not remain intact when exposed to pH changes.
Answer: The structure remains intact when exposed to pH changes.
The main forces that stabilize the secondary and tertiary structures of proteins are hydrogen bonds, disulphide linkages, van der Waals forces, and electrostatic forces of attraction.
When a protein in its native form is subjected to physical changes like temperature or chemical changes like pH, the hydrogen bonds and other stabilizing forces are disturbed. Due to this, globules unfold and the helix gets uncoiled, causing the protein to lose its biological activity. This process is called denaturation of the protein. Thus, the tertiary structure does not remain intact when exposed to pH changes.
Answer: The structure remains intact when exposed to pH changes.