Prepare for the Foundations of Biology Exam 1. Dive into key biological concepts with multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Ace the exam with our efficient study methods!

Multiple Choice

Proteins are polypeptides because of what?

Proteins are polypeptides because they are made by linking amino acids with covalent peptide bonds. A peptide bond forms when the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of the next amino acid, releasing a molecule of water. This covalent linkage creates a linear chain of amino acids, called a polypeptide. When one or more polypeptides fold into a stable three-dimensional structure that carries out a biological function, that molecule is a protein. The other descriptions refer to carbohydrate polymers, nucleic acid structures, or a feature of folding, not to the reason proteins are polypeptides.

Proteins are polypeptides because they are made by linking amino acids with covalent peptide bonds. A peptide bond forms when the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of the next amino acid, releasing a molecule of water. This covalent linkage creates a linear chain of amino acids, called a polypeptide. When one or more polypeptides fold into a stable three-dimensional structure that carries out a biological function, that molecule is a protein. The other descriptions refer to carbohydrate polymers, nucleic acid structures, or a feature of folding, not to the reason proteins are polypeptides.