Hemoglobin, when subjected to 40% acetonitrile at pH 10.0, loses its quaternary structure, which means the ________.
A) four α and β polypeptides dissociate
B) peptide bonds between amino acids break
C) α and β polypeptides lose their 3-D structure
D) four α and β polypeptides dissociate, peptide bonds between amino acids, and α and β polypeptides lose their 3-D structure

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The quaternary structure of hemoglobin involves the assembly of its four polypeptide subunits (two alpha and two beta). When hemoglobin loses its quaternary structure, it means these subunits dissociate from each other, but the peptide bonds within each polypeptide and their individual 3-D structures (secondary and tertiary structures) remain intact.

Hemoglobin, When Subjected to 40% Acetonitrile at PH 10