Collagen, a helical protein, became straight and flat as the temperature of its environment was changed. Its primary structure was not altered. What happened to cause it to flatten?

Question

Collagen, a helical protein, became straight and flat as the temperature of its environment was changed. Its primary structure was not altered. What happened to cause it to flatten?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Collagen is a triple helix made of three polypeptide chains twisted around each other. Hydrogen bonds hold the chains together. When the temperature of its environment is changed, the hydrogen bonds break, causing the helix to unravel and become flat. The primary structure, which is the sequence of amino acids, remains the same. Therefore, the correct answer is B, hydrogen bonds were broken.

Collagen, a Helical Protein, Became Straight and Flat as the Temperature