In sickle-cell disease, as a result of a single amino acid change, the mutant hemoglobin tetramers associate with each other and assemble into large fibers. Based on this information alone, we can conclude that sickle-cell hemoglobin exhibits:

altered primary structure.

altered secondary structure.

altered tertiary structure.

altered quaternary structure.

altered primary structure and altered quaternary structure; the secondary and tertiary structures may or may not be altered.

Question

Biology

Isabell Todd

11 June, 22:55

In sickle-cell disease, as a result of a single amino acid change, the mutant hemoglobin tetramers associate with each other and assemble into large fibers. Based on this information alone, we can conclude that sickle-cell hemoglobin exhibits:

altered primary structure.

altered secondary structure.

altered tertiary structure.

altered quaternary structure.

altered primary structure and altered quaternary structure; the secondary and tertiary structures may or may not be altered.

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Answers (1)

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Maximilian Dean · Answer 1

Altered primary structure.

Explanation:

Proteins are formed by chains of amino acids, which constitutes their primary structure. In sickle-cell disease, there is a single amino acid exchange. Therefore, the primary structure of the protein is altered, and because of this hemoglobin form long fiber that clog arteries.