The tertiary structure of proteins can be destroyed by

Options

A. High energy radiations
B. High temperature
C. Drastic changes in pH
D. All of these

Answer

To answer the question "The tertiary structure of proteins can be destroyed by:", we need to analyze the options provided and understand the concept of protein structure, particularly the tertiary structure and the factors that can lead to its denaturation.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Protein Structure**:
- Proteins have four levels of structure: primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary.
- The tertiary structure refers to the three-dimensional shape of a protein, formed by the folding and interactions of the secondary structures (like alpha helices and beta sheets).

2. **Denaturation of Proteins**:
- Denaturation is the process in which proteins lose their native structure due to various factors, leading to a loss of biological function.
- The tertiary structure can be disrupted by several agents, including physical and chemical factors.

3. **Identifying the Factors**:
- **High Energy Radiations**: These can break the bonds that maintain the tertiary structure, leading to denaturation.
- **High Temperature**: Elevated temperatures can cause vibrations that break the weak interactions (like hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions) that stabilize the tertiary structure.
- **Drastic Changes in pH**: Altering the pH can affect the ionization of amino acid side chains, disrupting ionic bonds and hydrogen bonds that are crucial for maintaining the tertiary structure.

4. **Conclusion**:
- All the options mentioned (high energy radiations, high temperature, and drastic changes in pH) can lead to the destruction of the tertiary structure of proteins.
- Therefore, the correct answer is **D) All of this**.