Question

Proteins can be unfolded, or denatured, by agents that alter the balance of weak noncovalent forces that maintain the native conformation. How would the following agents cause a protein to denature? Be specific about the type of intermolecular forces that would be affected.

a) heat
b) pH
c) amphiphilic detergents
d) reducing agents such as 2-mercaptoethanol (HSCH2CH2OH)

Answer 1

We all know that heat is energy, and if too much energy is applied to anything, it is denatured. pH is a denaturing agent since it changes the protein, essentially by using Hydrogen (part of the bonds) as a counteract. Amphiphilic detergents are not beneficial for proteins because they’re responsible for breaking covalent bonds. Mercaptoethanol, as the name says, has ethanol, which reduces proteins into nonexistence.