MCQEasyJEE 2026Proteins (Amino Acids, Structure, Denaturation)

JEE Chemistry 2026 Question with Solution

The correct statements are :

A. Activation energy for enzyme catalysed hydrolysis of sucrose is lower than that of acid catalysed hydrolysis.

B. During denaturation, secondary and tertiary structures of a protein are destroyed but primary structure remains intact.

C. Nucleotides are joined together by glycosidic linkage between C1C_1 and C4C_4 carbons of the pentose sugar.

D. Quaternary structure of proteins represents overall folding of the polypeptide chain.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below :

  • A

    A, B and D Only

  • B

    A and B Only

  • C

    B and C Only

  • D

    A, C and D Only

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: Four statements about biomolecules, protein structure, denaturation, and nucleotide linkage are to be checked.

Find: Which statements are correct and hence the correct option.

Evaluate Statement A: Enzymes are biological catalysts and lower the activation energy of a reaction more effectively than acid catalysis in sucrose hydrolysis. Therefore, statement A is true.

Evaluate Statement B: During denaturation, the secondary and tertiary structures are disrupted, but the primary structure with peptide bonds remains intact. Therefore, statement B is true.

Evaluate Statement C: Nucleotides in nucleic acids are joined by phosphodiester linkage between the 33' carbon of one pentose sugar and the 55' carbon of the next. The glycosidic linkage connects the sugar to the nitrogenous base, not one nucleotide to another. Therefore, statement C is false.

Evaluate Statement D: The overall folding of a single polypeptide chain is called the tertiary structure. Quaternary structure refers to the arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains. Therefore, statement D is false.

So, only statements A and B are correct.

The correct option is B.

Statement-wise Explanation

Given:

  • Statement A compares activation energy in enzyme catalysed and acid catalysed hydrolysis of sucrose.
  • Statement B concerns denaturation of proteins.
  • Statement C concerns linkage between nucleotides.
  • Statement D concerns quaternary structure of proteins.

Find: Identify the true statements.

Step 1: Recall that enzymes are highly specific biological catalysts. They lower the activation energy barrier for the reaction they catalyse.

Step 2: In protein denaturation, weak interactions responsible for higher-order folding are disturbed, but peptide bonds are not broken under ordinary denaturation conditions.

Step 3: In nucleic acids, adjacent nucleotides are connected through phosphodiester bonds, specifically involving the 33' and 55' carbons of pentose sugars.

Step 4: Protein structural levels are:

  • Primary structure: sequence of amino acids
  • Secondary structure: local folding such as helix or sheet
  • Tertiary structure: overall folding of one polypeptide chain
  • Quaternary structure: arrangement of multiple polypeptide subunits

From these facts:

  • A is true.
  • B is true.
  • C is false.
  • D is false.

Therefore, the correct answer is A and B only, so the correct option is B.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing tertiary and quaternary structure. The overall folding of a single polypeptide chain is tertiary structure, whereas quaternary structure involves the arrangement of multiple polypeptide chains. Always identify whether one chain or many subunits are being discussed.

  • Assuming denaturation breaks the primary structure. Denaturation usually disrupts secondary and tertiary interactions, not the peptide bonds of the amino acid sequence. Distinguish between breaking weak interactions and breaking covalent bonds.

  • Mixing up glycosidic and phosphodiester linkages. Glycosidic linkage joins the sugar to the nitrogenous base, while phosphodiester linkage joins successive nucleotides in DNA or RNA. First identify what two units are being connected.

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