Answer to Question #52890 in General Chemistry for Michelle

Question

Suppose a sample of protein is denatured and another sample of the same protein is completely hydrolyzed. Compare the final products of these processes.

Answer 1

Some conditions (high temperature, ionic strength, low pH) can cause the protein denaturation. In this case the primary structure of the protein is not destructed. Protein loses its conformation and structure. That is way the final product of the protein denaturation is the same protein. Samples with denaturation and intact proteins are chemically the same but functionally they are different. In the case of the total protein hydrolysis protein is cut on the amino acids. That is way the final products of the protein hydrolysis will contain the mixture of the amino acids.