Too much internal body heat might disrupt the bonds between R groups in the
enzyme. What level of protein structure this impacts and what is the potential
consequence?
It would lead to the loss of the quaternary structure caused by a disruption of
hydrogen bonds between R groups of two or more polypeptide chains. This
would result in the polypeptides functioning independently instead of forming a
united functional structure.
It would impact the tertiary structure since it results from interactions between
R groups. When a protein loses its three-dimensional shape, it may no longer be
functional, and it is said to be denatured.
It would impact all the four levels of protein structure, since protein structure is
hierarchical, i.e. one level depends on the other. Because protein function does
not relate with their structure, the protein would function normally.
It would lead to the loss of the secondary structure caused by a disruption of
hydrogen bonds between R groups. Denaturation occurs when a protein loses its
secondary structure, rendering it non-functional.
