Denatured protein contains which type of structure?

Options

A. Primary
B. Secondary
C. Tertiary
D. Quartarnary

Answer

To determine the type of structure present in denatured proteins, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand Protein Structure
Proteins have four levels of structure:
- **Primary Structure**: The linear sequence of amino acids.
- **Secondary Structure**: Local folding into structures like alpha-helices and beta-sheets.
- **Tertiary Structure**: The overall three-dimensional shape of a single polypeptide chain.
- **Quaternary Structure**: The arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains into a functional protein.

**Hint**: Remember the four levels of protein structure and their definitions.

### Step 2: Define Denaturation
Denaturation refers to the process where a protein loses its native structure due to external factors such as heat, pH changes, or chemical agents. This process affects the stability and folding of the protein.

**Hint**: Think about what external factors can disrupt protein structure.

### Step 3: Analyze the Effects of Denaturation
During denaturation, the primary structure (the sequence of amino acids) remains intact, but the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures are disrupted. This means that the protein unfolds and loses its functional shape.

**Hint**: Focus on which structures are affected during the denaturation process.

### Step 4: Conclusion
Since the primary structure is preserved while the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures are disrupted, we conclude that a denatured protein primarily retains its primary structure.

**Hint**: Recall that the primary structure is the only one that remains unchanged during denaturation.

### Final Answer
Denatured protein contains only the **primary structure**.